May. — The very word makes the heart leap. Birds, Buds, Blossoms, Beauty! Break away from every bondage of circumstance or low spirits and go out into the sunshine. Answer back the bird-note in your heart, kiss your finger tips to every new blossom, and be a part of the spring.
Eva D. Kellogg, “May,” 1902
New construction and landscaping are underway around our neighborhood, and the area is bustling with activity. Trees and bushes are attracting the birds and butterflies, and it’s so nice to see. A few months ago, we planted passionflower and morning glory vines in the yard, and while there aren’t any flowers yet, the green vines promise flowers to come. The main bird sounds we hear are from the grackles and finches, which have been uplifting, especially since I’ve been sick again with a bad cold. We love to sit outside on our patio, soak up some morning sun, and watch as yellow butterflies enter and exit our yard. I am on the mend from the cold, but still feel quite physically tired. I’m having to pace myself and things I want to do in a day, which is helping to regain strength. Even though illness took over for some time, the stray gifts still kept showing up in my path, whether woven through my own days or through the days of friends and family who share their gifts with me!
Top Row: It’s a happy feeling to receive birthday cards in the mail! It’s nice to be remembered! My dad and I both have birthdays in May, and we enjoyed a meal at Olive Garden to celebrate. I managed to make a card for him even though I wasn’t feeling well. He loved it and enjoys adding to his collection of handmade cards I make him from time to time. The flowers were bought a few weeks ago for a church Mother’s Day activity. I bought them on Friday, but the next morning I knew I would not be able to attend. I felt like a weighted jacket had been placed around my shoulders and knew I was coming down with something. I separated the flower bunch and placed the flowers in various parts of the house, which added brightness and a soft scent. John even commented that he liked seeing the flowers in the bathroom, which isn’t a usual place I put flowers. When others in the home notice the touches of color and scent in the rooms, it’s rewarding to me as a homemaker.
Middle Row: We’ve had a yellow bell plant in a pot for years, and it looked like it wasn’t coming back this time around. Jonathan and I had talked about cleaning it out to plant something different, but hadn’t done anything with it yet. Lo and behold, a bit of green popped up from the soil one random day (after a lot of neglect!) – I love when that happens. Yellow mums are quite cheerful in the backyard. The last photo was taken at an outdoor nursery earlier this month. It has greenhouses, old trees, and hundreds of plants everywhere. We bought star jasmine for the front yard and ice plants (succulents) to try something new.
Bottom Row: The other day, I glanced toward the front of the house and noticed a shadow on the door. It was coming from the new jasmine we had planted by the side of the house recently. The last two photos are from friends who regularly send me their stray gifts! How sweet to share this journey with others as we look for God’s hand in various ways together.