". . .of all the flowers in the forest
and all trees that do abound,
The one's that please my heart the most
Are green the whole year round." *
Maybe it's my Celtic roots. . . .or, maybe it's that I can't quite let go of that holiday spirit for the dark, dull days of winter ahead. . . .
When it comes time to take down the Christmas tinsel and glitter, I just can't part with my Winter Greens. In fact, I take the time to jump in my 1983 Chevy truck and run up and down these rural roads, looking for as many different winter greens as I can find. . . . .like a scavenger hunt. . . .It's one of my favorite things to do between Christmas and the New Year. . . .
"Green the whole year round,
Green the whole year round.
The Holly Yew and the Ivy Tree,
Are green the whole year round." *
Abandoned houses--or where houses once sat--are a good place to "shop". . . .I can imagine a loving farm family living in the old tenant house--and a Mom tending her gardens--making a home for her family.
I can see the farm children, laughing and playing--maybe playing hide-and-seek in the thick foliage of the evergreen bush.
I can hear the farmer Dad, fussing because he has to mow around so many flower beds and greenery in the summertime.
The families are all gone now. . . .but the evergreen bushes and trees still stand. . . .
With all the bad weather we've had since Christmas, I had to settle this year--so far--on some limbs of a lone cedar at an old homeplace not far from us. . . .It's limbs were badly broken, where part of an oak tree had fallen on it. . . .But, it's still green and living--in spite of it's brokenness. . . .
Reminded me of life. . . .and of why I love bringing evergreens inside during the winter days. . . .
Same reason I spread an old cotton pick
sack across the table underneath the cedar, with the name of it's long ago owner written
across one end. . . ."Mary Jean George"
"Memories of other days come tumbling from the past.
To remind us, like the seasons do
That life goes by so fast." *
It's the end of another year. . . .The seasons have all come and gone again. . . .There's been good times--and a few bad. . . .We've gained a few more loved ones--and have lost others who were so dear. . . .
My mind is filled with memories this time of year. . . .Life does go by so fast. . . .ever changing. . . .Somehow the evergreens comfort me into a happy contentment as I gaze at them placed around my kitchen. . . . Life. . . .Hope. . . .Promise. . . .Green the whole year round. . . .
Now that another year is beginning. . . .
Maybe we should take a lesson from that cedar.
Life is continuous . . . .
so, let's embrace and live it to the fullest,
no matter how many oak trees fall on us. . . .
And, if you think evergreens are the only green to be found in the farmhouse this time of year, feast your eyes on these beauties. . . .
John says only Scot-Irish blood could love these socks! Well, maybe that's true. . . .They've certainly danced a few jigs in their lifetime. . . .They're my personal contribution to Winter Greens, you might say--and so much FUN!
Wishing You many Blessings in the coming months. . . .
Happy New Year!!!
from my farmhouse to yours. . . .
*"Green The Whole Year Round" from Celtic Women. Written by David Downes and Shay Healy