patience

"clear, somewhat mournful eyes met mine. at least, that is how they impressed me; but i could see very little colour or outline as we sat in the dark and rainy shadow of the tree. the face seemed very lovely, and solemn from its stillness, with the aspect of one who is quite content but waiting for something."
george macdonald, phantastesearly spring at michael delving feels to me like anodos' beech tree nymph: delicately colored in rainy shadows, contented, and waiting for something not yet at hand.

the days slowly lengthen...

timid leaves gradually follow bold daffodils and crocuses into the cold, coaxing sunshine...

and hobbits remember how much they love growing things in good, tilled earth.
spring's labor begins! reviving the yard from its winter apathy is a new part of the daily routine.

choice weapons.
the quarry. weeding five gallons a day takes a while, but it keeps my vitamin d levels up and my neuroses appeased.

the young apprentice affixes lattice-like grids to our square foot gardens.
it wasn't until these pictures of my four year-old and a power tool were uploaded that i realized - no daddies are visible. one of the many, many things i am slowly learning from the mayor is how to teach hobbitlings without irksome smothering. in this instance, he set the screws, showed boookie how to use the drill, and then patiently supervised from a respectful distance while boookie "did it all by himself!"
just look at this proud little boy!
when the grids had been expertly secured, the planting of twelve kale sprouts launched this year's gardening endeavors. thank you, stacey!
and in the kitchen, small hobbits hover over 102 tiny seeds and offer frequent reminders for grown-up hobbits to mist the soil. in ela's words, "some things are just taking such a very long time!" we are all learning patience.
fortunately, patience is the province of early spring.