Looking to nature

How many of us looked to the sky today? And why? Because there was a partial solar eclipse. Isn't it interesting that most days we ignore what's happening in the sky unless it's a beautiful sunny day or tipping down with rain. Yet today there were millions of us looking up because we wanted to be a witness to this celestial occurrence. This morning the kids were sent off to school with their cereal boxes with holes cut in and bits of white paper stuck on so they could witness the eclipse safely. I hope they saw it and enjoyed the magic of it.

Did anyone notice how the birds changed during the eclipse? In my garden the birdsong grew very loud and almost agitated or excited. My dogs behaviour changed. One of my dogs seeks comfort by sitting on your feet or between your legs. He sat down, squeezing himself into the non-existent gap between my legs, and looked out. I couldn't help feeling that this canine member of my family was protecting me, whilst seeking protection himself, during, what must seem to dogs, a strange event. Simple comfort in tactile contact.

Not only has their been the solar eclipse today but it is also the vernal equinox. This really marks the beginning of spring for me and from now on we see the light change and our evenings grow longer as we approach the summer.

It is a time of ever emerging colour. After what seems like the endless brown, grey and dark greens of the winter it suddenly feels like living in a rainbow. Primroses having been giving us their colour for a few weeks, daffodils  are popping their heads up everywhere and all the deciduous trees are showing their buds. My apple tree is working up to one of my favourite late spring displays: apple blossom. I'm not that big a fan of pink but the subtle pinky white that the apple blossom brings fills my heart with simple delight. And as for tulips...well they are my favourite flower above all else. I eagerly await their return all winter and anticipate their first appearances impatiently from the first signs of spring. Such colours from deep purple, which appears almost black, to the brightest lightest yellow. And their simple shape I find so.....comforting. It tells me that days of sunshine are coming (yes, I may live in England but I am an optimist).

I love the fact that no matter how much technology advances see still look to nature for inspiration, especially in a craft world. And that's what I need to do more of: find inspiration in nature. I love crocheting flowers and in fact they are a few of the patterns I have invented myself. From now on I shall take inspiration, starting on this powerful day of equinox meets eclipse, to create my own patterns....or at least try. Their is so much inspiration out there quietly waiting to be seen.

So every dog walk I shall take pictures. Every week I shall use a different colour which I feel reflects the outside world. It's about time I crocheted something for my dogs. I shall look closely at the flowers and, us over all else, I shall enjoy the spring with my family.

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