Daffodils
(1804)
I wander’d lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They strech’d in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay;
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee;
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company;
I gazed–and gazed–but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought;
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
By William Wordsworth (1770-1850)
March 23, 2008
Last month, Holly, Ruby and I decided to go to the big city (Tulsa) to shop. One place we like to visit is Hancock’s Fabric and the store special that day was all McCall’s patterns were a $1.00. A $1.00! Well, needless to say, I purchased a few. I plan on starting to sew more this year, clothes for me and Alex and Ruby, aprons, chair cushions, etc. I used to make many of my own clothes before clothes became cheaper to buy than make. Go to Hancock’s web site to sign up for coupons, sale flyers, free projects, classes and much more.
A summer shorts and tops pattern for the girls, maybe some interchangeable pieces. For instance, a red cotton print for a outfit, with a solid red top and shorts to make different looks. Doll clothes may be on the Christmas list this year.
I found a versatile apron pattern. Some of my yard furniture need cushions, so I bought a couple cushion patterns.
A few weeks later we went to our favorite local thrift store and I found some great material for one of the dress patterns I bought at Joann’s.
I paid $5.50 for enough material to make the dress and much more. I needed several different fabric patterns for this particular dress.
Time will tell whether I follow through on sewing everything planned on, I hope so. Do you have sewing plans? Let me know what you are sewing, loved to hear.
March 6, 2008
This winter seems the longest one in my life, a never ending cycle of cold, ice and dark days. I thought that something was going on with me because I just seemed to be very COLD all the time. Last week the local weather reported that this has been the actual overall coldest winter on record for NE Oklahoma and the Northern Hemisphere. All the ice that had melted from the Polar Ice Cap had been replaced because of the record cold. What happened to global warming?! Now before all you treehuggers get on your soapbox, I know there is alot more to the issue than the polar ice cap! And I am a sorta treehugger myself! So climb down and take a deep breath.
While I never REALLY thought Spring would not come, there were some days I wondered. However, when the daffodils starting poking their little green tips up through the dirt on the south side of my house, I jumped with joy!
Today winter made a big showing with temps in the 30’s and a mixture of rain, sleet and snow. The wood stove is aglow with warmth and there is a pot of chili on the stove to chase away the chill in both home and soul. And while I know this may not be the last Old Man Winter blows, I rejoice that his days are numbered. Recently I bought seeds and a cute little bluebird house to help with the winter doldrums.
I have many plans for the garden, like sunflowers, herbs, green beans, etc., etc. I am going to enlarge my garden space this year, so I think two hills of pumpkins are in order. Come Fall, I hope to have a few pumpkins to decorate this house and carve into Jack-o-lanterns. I also think this acre needs a few dwarf fruit trees, so I have to research for some varieties that do well in Oklahoma. We will also need to plant a few ornamental trees to replace the few we lost in the infamous ice storm of 2007. Maybe a
Redbud or a
Goldenrain Tree or a
October Glory Maple Tree or maybe all of the before mentioned!
My friends, I hope this day finds you warm and cozy with thoughts of Spring dancing in your head!
March 3, 2008
