Dear Sunday Letter friends,
Every spring day brings a bit more magic. In our neighborhood, those who came decades before us had the foresight to plant redbuds and dogwoods in parkways beside the street. Now, anyone who happens by is surely blown away by the blooms. I certainly am. Even though I see them every day, every day they are new to me.
That’s what we gardeners try to do—leave the world better than we found it. Gardener or not, that should be everyone’s goal.
This picture of our street doesn’t do justice to the reality.
Hoping but Mourning
This has been a hard week for my family. My cousin, Cindy, is now under hospice care. (If you read my first book, The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee, she was my inspiration for Gracie’s cousin, Candi. ☺)
In real life, Cindy was the Marcia to my Jan. Two years older than I, she was the closest thing I had to a big sister.
I hope for a miracle yet already mourn her. I mourn what will never be, and the things she will miss. And because of this, talking about the soup I made last week or the weeds I pulled or my new favorite cookie feels incredibly inconsequential.
Instead, I’ll just share pictures of the beauty around me.
Nature consoles. Nature is larger than us. Nature reminds us that life endures and rejuvenates even as it withers. And it’s perfectly healthy and beneficial to pause and notice.
Bleeding Heart
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis ‘Gold Heart’) sure puts on a show in spring, especially this variety with chartreuse foliage. We added three and may plant more. These old-fashioned beauties love shade and go dormant in summer.
Around the Square
The Fayetteville Square is always an explosion of color no matter the time of year. Here’s a sample of what’s blooming this week.
I’m not sure the variety of this dark, wine-colored tulip. Maybe Queen of the Night. Regardless of name, she is surely Queen of the Fayetteville Square.
I don’t recognize this purple stunner. The foliage is lacy. The petals, hairy. Can anyone provide identification? A type of pasque flower? An anemone?
This striking tulip is called Tubergen’s Gem. Canary yellow with swaths of bright red on the outer petals makes this one a standout in a sea of spring goodness. These tulips grow in abundance around the square, so bright and happy.
Back Home
It’s morel mushroom season, and we are don’t have to go far to find them, foraging in our own yard. These truly are a gift from the earth.
Our leatherleaf viburnums are in bloom. These shrubs are a favorite of bees and birds, producing flowers in spring and berries in fall.
Our hostas are growing half an inch a day. The phlox is in bloom. Shasta daisies are coming up around the soft touch hollies. A wren is building a nest inside the metal mailbox beside the red door. I watch her carry twigs and bits of straw through the hole in the front.
This isn’t our front door or our “real” mailbox, so we don’t mind that a bird has taken up residence. In fact, we sort of love it.
Soon we will have babies.
So Much Change
Every day brings so much change in our little backyard. Aren’t we lucky to have Annabelle and Gracie overseeing everything?
Rest is important too.
***
Sorry for the short Sunday Letter. As my writer friend Tom Sweeney would say, I’ll try to do better next week.
♡
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
It may have been a short letter but it packed a punch. Right now I am dependent on the neighborhood flowering beauty to keep my spirits up. It is working. My condolences on your cousin’s situation. That is never easy.
Yes, thank goodness winter is behind us!
Thank you for persevering and sending us a letter this bright morning. Praying for peace and comfort for your cousin . . . ya”ll are my Delta people!
Thanks Trent!! Always great to hear from you.
We are praying this morning for Cindy. AND, for Rick, Courtney, Ronnie, Gail,,,,may God be with you this day, this week, this month….❤️❤️🙏🏻 The pictures of the beauty of Spring are lifting our spirits.
Thank you for a beautiful Sunday letter. Praying for peace for Cindy and all the family, and that you feel our Father wrapping his loving arms around you.
Thank you!
I have an 18-pound Schnauzer named Gabe. I have read the Gracie Lee book and consider it one of the best books I’ve read. I could identify with Gracie in many ways. I recall feeling a little sorry for the preacher when nobody ever answered the call. My libraries don’t have the other one, but I found the Kindle version. So I’ll be reading it before long.
Thank you so much. I’m happy you enjoyed Gracie Lee and hope you enjoy Gene as well. If you’d considering writing an Amazon review, I’d be ever so appreciative!
Will be praying for your cousin and you. It’s been a hard year and I know your heart is hurting. Enjoy the beauty of God’s work in your neighborhood and yard. Such beautiful flowers all bringing love and peace to your world.
Thank you, Cathy. God’s handiwork is a salve.
Hi Talya. It’s always fun to read your Sunday letters. The floral pictures Remind me of home in Kansas. Mother loved The Spring colorful flowers.
Your positive comments are uplifting and helps us ignore the political unrest for a while.
Thank you, Barbara. Will you be at the Delta Arts Festival in June?
Talya, I lost a sweet friend this week, too, as God called home one of His giants of the faith. So bittersweet. I am just thankful for the promise of heaven. I will pray for Cindi and her family and for God to comfort you. I loved sharing in the beautiful reminders of God’s tender mercies in this week’s letter. May you find joy all around you this coming week. Janna
Thank you Janna. I’m so sorry for your loss. Yes, bittersweet is the word.
Your street is truly magnificent with the blooms. I’ve been enjoying the mature plantings in our neighborhood, too.
I was sad to read this about Cindy. I add my prayers for comfort and peace for her and everyone who loves her, especially you, my friend.
I read that the male wren tries to woe his chosen mate by making multiple nests. Then she chooses the one she likes best. I am sure she will choose that mailbox!
Woo, not woe! Yikes!
No, I don’t have enough inventory to participate this year.. it’s a fun festival.