Sunday Snippet: The Wildflowers and Memories Edition

Neighbor and pal Mary and I have been walking in between raindrops this week, admiring all the spring flowers in folks yards and the magnolia trees and other flowering trees that are blooming. Some wildflowers are showing up in yards as well because we live in a neighborhood with lots of huge old trees. Wildflowers like delicate spring beauties, violets, and the little white blooms that look like stars.

They’re so beautiful and they reminded me of when PJ and Kate and I used to go out into the woods behind our church when we were kids and hunt for wild flowers. The woods there was gorgeous and full of flowers every spring. I think we came home from services each Sunday in April and May with bouquets of pink and purple and white flowers wrapped in damp paper towels.

Mom used to send us out to find “Dutchman’s Britches” and “Jack-in-the-Pulpit” and her favorite, violets. As Mary and I walked along, I found lots of violets. They were abundant, coloring the ground with different shades of lavender and purple with soft velvety leaves, but alas, no yellow ones. Those are pretty hard to find–they were even when we were kids. I remember that PJ loved the purple violets and Kate loved the yellow ones and I loved to find the light purple and white ones.

It’s been a hard week–I have so much sadness, fear, and horror at what’s going on in our country right now. It’s hard to find reasons to be happy, to be hopeful. I found some joy this week in our walks and in finding violets and in that distant childhood memory of Kate and PJ and me together searching for the elusive yellow violets in the woods at church.

Gratitude for This Week: Flowers everywhere–even my tulips are starting to bloom. Signed a contract for four new books with Tule–there’s joy! Got revisions done on the first cowboy book. So much rain, but the sump pumps are working hard. Got to hear Son play with his band last night–always a joyful time. 

Stay well, speak up when you’re able and find a cause to support, choose kindness always, and most of all, mes amis, stay grateful!