A reflection and photos from my friend, Gill Henwood. (a nice treat after I have spent a few days in hospital)
Surprising resilience and fortitude from the peonies in full bloom, despite rainstorms and hail showers interspersed by wind and sun.
Beauty with endurance – much to ponder…
And, thankfully, though the rabbit invasion has chomped off all the aquilegia and ragged Robin, they have so far spared the peonies. The badgers have been busy in the short nights, rotovating the meadow for pignut roots, slugs and worms. Their presence only known by their deeds.
Photos by Gill Henwood of Hellebore & Rhododendron in her Lakeland Garden
The short period between the end of the Christmas Season (at Candlemass on February 2nd) and Lent, is known in the Church as ‘Ordinary Time’. As far as Nature is concerned this is very far from the truth. In the Western Hemisphere and particularly in Europe we are moving into the season of Spring. Though in many parts of Europe it has been a particularly stormy and wet period of late, there are many signs that there is new life emerging from the earth.
The photos which my friend Gill Henwood has sent show “hellebores in full flower and an early rhododendron.” She says that “both were budding before Christmas and, so far, have weathered frost and wind”, not forgetting hares which have turned their attention towards other plants this year! The Christmas Box plant has been wafting beautiful scent throughout Cristmastide. The aroma is fabulous even on dark mornings and dark night walks in the garden. For Gill, this is a reminder of the Frankincense of Christmas.
The ‘Greening’ of the earth which Gill’s photos point to is being experienced through the emergence of buds and bulbs shooting on branches and in the soil. Crocus and daffodil are close behind. My tulips are pushing leaves through the top of the pots, seeking the breath of light and life. This morning, near the church path, buds and a dusting of green spoke to me of God’s amazing creative activity. This Winter has been harsh for many and the world situation is so dire that there is a need for us to re-focus.
Right on cue we can fill our lungs with a breath of hope and wonder. We can find joy in the singing of the birds and soon the animal kingdom will fill our fields, forests & woodlands and gardens with new life. Bees and butterflies, insects and worms will populate our gardens, hedgerows,lakes and ponds. So much new life and growth will teem and swirl, dance full of life and reach to heaven as the trees prepare to become shade and homes and hiding places for all manner of creation..
And we? The Spirituality of Nature lifts our souls from creation to Creator. All this is gift from our giving God! And in a mutual thanksgiving, our part is to be custodians and stewards of the earth, living in deep friendship with Creation, Nature, and with all who allow us to share this earth with them.
Rainbow after the rain. Storm Floris passes over the Lake District and leaves a rainbow behind.Photo by Gill Henwood.
My friend Gill Henwood has been reflecting on Midsummer life in the Lake District, Cumbria. She sent me her reflection in the form of a poem with a P.S. about Nature at work. When she sent it, we were all awaiting the August Summer Storm christened by the weather people as Floris. The North of England, the whole of Scotland and the Western Isles as far as Orkney are bearing the brunt of it, but already things are improving in Cumbria. Gill invites us to ponder on the beauty, stillness and calm, which can so often follow a storm. This is not just true of Nature but also in our own lives too. Sometimes we are buffeted about by what life throws at us but God is always near, ready to throw his rainbow cloak of love in a great arc over us. We do, however, like Elijah in 1 Kings 19, be still to hear and know God is there for you. Here’s Gill’s poem:
AFTER THE RAIN. Gill Henwood
The winds are soughing In the beech tree canopy. Sound ripples away As the waves on a beach.
Lichens reach into the air Dewdrops and sun A rich garden Growing on the stump.
Badgers have clawed Bark for grubs, Dragonflies shimmer Past, in the sun shafts.
Life is renewed The seasons turn again After rain, the sun. After storms, the calm.
And throughout, the still small voice.
1 Kings 19:11-13
P.S. The dragonfly, emerald and gold, dazzled me. S/he flew on but, having stopped, I looked. Noticed. A miniature garden on the decaying tree stump. Was s/he a fleeting messenger? “Remember, it’s Lammas…”. The farmer was baling the hay last night at 10pm, headlights on the tractor, collecting the bales before overnight rain. First fruits, in the sheep-dwelt fells: the grass harvest for winter feed. And for all the local creatures of hedges, dry stone walls, woods and tarns: plentiful seeds, berries, nuts, leaves. A harvest festival is quietly underway.
[Lughnasad is the Celtic name for Lammas, time of the ‘first fruits’ of harvest. (Newgrange website) Lammas is the Christian Festival on August 1st when we give thanks for Harvest that is coming and offer to God the gifts of the Land.]
Mr G's Ponderings 