Today the world is participating in Earth Hour. At 8PM local time all over the world, people will be turning off lights and electrical appliances for one hour. Dublin will be included in this event. I am also going to turn everything off this evening, and maybe sit by candlelight and chat or daydream. I would like to encourage anyone to try this as well, be a part of something to help our Earth, if even a little bit. So, have a lovely dark evening!
Late afternoon on Monday, as I was getting my veggie garden weeded and dug, I looked up in the sky. Way high, there was a flock of maybe a hundred birds, and they looked like swallows. There was no sound from them, so I wasn't sure. I was riveted, and just watched as they flew past, some of them in a diagonal line here and there, all flying into the northwest. As they flew past, I thought, "I wish I had my camera with me" But I didn't want to stop watching. So this morning I drew what I remember, and photoshopped the birds into the sky. If they were indeed swallows, then spring is finally here! Can't wait for those happy birds racing through our skies, singing their cheerful songs.
"Those little nimble musicians of the air, that warble forth their curious ditties, with which nature hath furnished them to the shame of art. " ~Izaak Walton
Saillé's Dream, a story by Silvia Salix. A story on the theme "Dreams" for World Storytelling Day
Saillé loved going for walks in the woods. She loved to sit under her favorite tree, a large oak, and daydream. But as she grew older, her walks became less frequent. But she made sure she went on special days. This day was the Vernal Equinox, the beginning of spring. Very tired, she sat under the oak tree for a while, and soon fell asleep. She dreamed...
...Saillé was much younger, and danced and sang under the oak tree while a few snow flurries fluttered down. An Oak Sprite, who sat up in the tree, watched her in rapture. He was smitten! Hopping out of the tree, he took her in his arms and danced. Saillé felt so alive, so content, so free, dancing.. dancing.. dancing...
She woke up, and it was almost dark. And indeed there was a little bit of snow on the ground.She was cold, and it was a long way home. But home she went, thinking of her lovely dream. Saillé went for a walk again on May Day. It was a much warmer day, and she was feeling quite chipper. By the time she reached her favorite tree, she had become quite tired, and sat to rest a while in the dappled shade. Again she fell asleep. She dreamed...
...Saillé was again in her youth, twirling and spinning through the long grass by the oak tree. The Oak Sprite was there as well, watching her from the branches above. Happily, he hopped down to greet her, swept her up into his arms. Then they were floating and they danced the tango together, through the branches of the tree. Saillé felt so happy, she hadn't been so happy for years, she has been alone so long, and this seemed so right. dancing.. dancing.. dancing... Waking up, it was quite dark already, how long had she been sleeping there? She felt sore from sitting against the trunk for long hours. Saillé slowly made her way back home, the dream of the Oak Sprite urging her on. Midsummer, Saillé decided again to take a walk to her tree. She felt rather tired today, but she was thinking of her lovely dream of the Oak Sprite, and hoping she would see him again. Soon, she might be too old to make the long walk there, and today was a most lovely warm day, and the daylight would last far into the night. Almost exhausted, she settled down by the oak tree, took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. She dreamed...
...Saillé was young, waltzing under the oak, looking up into the branches to see if Oak Sprite was there. He was indeed, and he was very happy to see her again, as was she. Hopping down, Oak Sprite took her in his arms, and they waltzed for hours and hours, a dizzy and exciting whirl of energy. Then Oak Sprite did something he had never done before. Spinning and flying, he kissed her. It was pure rapture for Saillé, and she fell into the kiss with all her soul. She wanted to stay with Oak Sprite for always.. dancing.. dancing.. dancing... and dancing... At midnight, the northern sky aglow with summer twilight, under the oak tree, there rested an old woman with her eyes closed. She looked to be asleep, but she was cold and she was not breathing...
...Saillé and Oak Sprite were dancing.. dancing.. dancing...
Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! I woke up to a bright blue sky and sparkling grass. A cheerful spring day. The photos I took looked lovely and fresh, so I photo-shopped three of them together to make a St. Paddy's Day meadow. Now, at noon, there are dark clouds again, just hope it doesn't rain on the parade and festivities down in Dublin.
I was asked by Kathryn how I made this pic. I took 3 of my photos from this morning, and used my art program, Photoshop, to blend them together. See?
The weather has been cold and rainy here in Ireland this month (and when is it not cold and rainy? hehe). Not as many flowers this year compared to last year. Mostly daffodils are in bloom, I have them all over.
daffodils and wallflowers by my shed
Daffodils by the side fence, in the front garden, and during a bit of sun
Also blooming are a few grape hyacinths
forget me nots and the purple plum tree Other blooms: helebore euphorbia heather russian kale marsh marigold
I think I need a new camera soon. A lot of my photos have gone fuzzy, my close-up mode doesn't work anymore either. But this will have to do for now. ;-) See what's blooming the world over, visit Carol's May Dreams Gardens blog for March Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.
Last week, early in March, Hurricane Emma passed us by while I was at my Mom's house in Holland. I have never heard such noisy weather before. The howling wind kept me awake during the night, accented by thunderstorms midway. Then the wind blew from the other direction, shrieking even louder against the windowpane.
This wind continued for some days, but not as severe, bending over trees and plants.
I finally got a chance to weed her garden, after missing my flight home, and having to stay a few days longer.
Missing my flight had nothing to do with the weather.. my brain was a bit muddled.. my cat had passed away the day before I was meant to go home. When my Mom left me off at the airport, I forgot my passport and mobile phone, left them in her car, and she drove off before I realized. And I couldn't travel without my passport. I just wasn't thinking, my mind was on my cat.. so I took the train back to her house, and I got to stay a few more days.
My name is Silvia (also known as SalixTree ), I live in the Irish countryside. I write and illustrate children's books. I like to garden, cross stitch, crochet, and read fantasy books.
I am also going to turn everything off this evening, and maybe sit by candlelight and chat or daydream.
