A Prayer in Spring by Robert Frost
OH, give us pleasure in the flowers today;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.
Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.
And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.
For this is love and nothing else is love,
To which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends he will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill.
If you detect a note of sarcasm coupled with wishful thinking, pat yourself on the back. These are images I took on the way to work this morning. A snow covered Monday following a couple of days in the upper 60’s, with 60+ temps coming back in a few days, is what greeted me upon waking. I thought perhaps winter had bid us adieu. I was incorrect. And while the snow today was very, very lovely to look at (hence my taking the scenic route to work through winding roads past a local vineyard) I am well and truly bitten by the bug of spring fever. I want nothing more than to spend time out of doors walking and enjoying spring weather. And when I am indoors I want to be sitting in front of an open window reading books or watching films that remind me of spring. Not exactly “Once Upon a Time” weather out there today.
Speaking of fantasy, fairy tales, and the impending challenge celebrating them, does anyone think that this image below looks like a place Mr. Tumnus might do a bit of shopping?
Think spring thoughts everyone! It will hopefully be arriving soon.
I love the images!
Just not the snow! Was fun having you all over last night.
Exquisite photo’s! Just beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I love trees if they are snow covered or green leaves or fall colored leaves..trees are beautiful!
(really liking Among Others!!!!!)
Deslily: I am so glad to hear it, I was desperately hoping you would enjoy the book. I love trees as well, in each season. But I’m ready to see those spring blossoms.
Beautiful pictures! We were expected to have snow, but it seems to have missed us. Just a few flurries that didn’t amount to anything. Even if it had, there is still big mounds of old snow kicking around that are rather an eye sore. Some of them have been pounded down so much they will be there for a while yet. The liquor store has a contest every year about how can best guess when the big mound of snow in their parking lot will all be gone.
Kailana: One of my workers was talking about her weekend trip to Minnesota, where there was snow on the ground still from December! I enjoy winter, but not quite that much. That is a fun idea that the liquor store has. Guess it is best to keep an optimistic spirit about the whole thing.
Beautiful photographs, Carl, very nice indeed. Your skill with the camera is evident.
We’re learning about the micro-climates here in Portland, and one thing is obvious: our house’s elevation of 550 feet above the valley is delaying Spring’s arrival for us. Only a mile blocks away the crocuses and daffodils are blooming, the Hawthorn and Ornamental Cherry are showing color, he Camellia bushes are covered with open flowers. Here, there is only the merest hint of color at the tip of some Camellia buds, there are no buds on the bulb shoots and no leaves on the trees or shrubs. The Forsythia do have some yellow on them, but it’s a hint of what they will be in a 2-3 weeks (if it ever warms up a little).
Side note: As you saw from my New Arrivals post, I now have Engineering Infinity in hand. I see you are reading it now, are you enjoying it?
RkR: Thanks Richard. Not that I can take any credit other than pointing and clicking.
I imagine the weather over the next couple of years will REALLY take some getting used to for you and your wife. Quite the change from what you are used to. The trade off for me would be the beautiful area that you live in. I would probably be more willing to let winter hold me in its grip a bit longer if I had your view out my window.
I am enjoying Engineering Infinity thus far, but I’ve only read the first 3 or 4 stories. Rusch’s story was really interesting. One that would be fun to discuss in the book club.
I think your weather forgot what Spring is supposed to look like, Carl. LOL. It’s stunningly beautiful but I had enough snow in December thanks, and prefer the daffs on my blog at this time of year.
lovely lovely photographs.. it feels like spring here, but i am not holding my breath, a girl at the bank said that winter isn’t really over, not at all!–so she said with a certain glee.
i am ready for the green lawns and full trees.
L: Me too! I’ll be much on Thursday when the high is predicted to be 72. Heck, I’ll be happy with the 66 on Wed.!
Cath: I’m ready for green things and flowers. Not so ready for the return of weeds and insects though. Can I pick and choose which spring things I want and which I don’t? 🙂
Carl, your post cheered me up! That’s kind of sad, isn’t it? we had snow and rain last Thursday, which froze the surface of everything Friday morning here. So many people fell, as I am finding out as I go around work on my crutches today. Even though we are all desperate for some signs of spring, we know better than to expect only rain until end of April. I hope this cheers you up! lol
Lovely pictures, by the way. Really gorgeous, I love the white and black look. And yes, Mr Tumnus might very well do some shopping along that lane……
OUAT is cheering me up, knowing it’s coming! 😀
Carl, lovely photos of snow… our snow is melting slowly but there are still feet of it in the yard. We hope to see temps out of the 30s this week. Anyway, cold outside is great for reading inside. Happy reading!
Ian: Yikes! 3 feet! Ours is pretty much all gone already and with 50+ degree temps for tomorrow it will quickly be like there isn’t anything there at all.
Oh, and I like how you think. Cold outside DOES make it great for reading inside.
Susan: Sorry to hear about your own injuries. I hope that all gets better very, very quickly. Not sure I’ll be cheered up thinking about you getting a month of rain, ha! Better than snow.
Thanks for your kind words about the pictures. Interesting how the snow made pictures taken in color look completely like black and white. It really blanketed everything.
I’m excited Once Upon a Time is almost here as well.
Love your photos – even if you don’t care for snow, you have to admit it is beautiful! I love the snow, but even I have the spring inch now. Currently we don’t have any snow here in NJ and on Friday it’s suposed to be 68 degrees (but then turn back to the 50’s over the weekend). I’ve got my fingers crossed that spring is indeed almost here (and can’t wait to get the grill fired up later this week!!
Stephanie: Oh, I love snow. I’ve just had my fill of it by this point in the year and am ready for the sights and sounds of spring. This was actually the prettiest snow we got all winter and it was worth seeing, but I’m glad that it will be in the 50’s today and 60’s tomorrow as I’m ready for things to dry out and to start growing and blooming.
pretty pictures, glad that all that weather stayed North of me! We just had torrential rain, my back yard was very lakelike. I managed to work outside in the yard Saturday long enough to make every muscle in my body sore (still!) and get a little bit of sun. So glad I did it, before long i’ll have to start mowing! So on a cold overcast Sunday I took ibuprofen and stayed in bed and read books all day long. Finest kind weekend!
Beautiful juxtaposition of photographs and poem, Carl. Thanks for the experience!
Oh, I’m so glad you took the scenic route to work, because I positively love these photos you took!!! They’re simply beautiful, Carl! Sounds like you’ve definitely been having some glimpses at the spring to come though, huh? They say we might reach the low 50s on Thursday–that, along with the birds I’ve heard chirping lately, should would make it feel like spring. 🙂 But you know, I’m also still sort of hoping that we can have our snowiest winter since we’ve lived here (127″)–so we still need another 8 inches, which is certainly possible. But if not, oh well, who am I to argue an early spring, right? 🙂
Debi: Me too. I knew it was going to be a ‘one day wonder’ with the forecast being what it was, and rather than truly lamenting the fact that it had gotten cold and snowed, I wanted to look on the positive and enjoy the beauty of it all. I was wondering what all the robins were thinking after frolicking in the sun just days before! I will keep my fingers crossed for you to reach the record, and if any snow starts forming around here again this spring I’ll send it up your direction. 🙂
Phil: Thanks, it was fun to do.
sgist: Your Sunday sounds glorious!!! 🙂 I’m glad we got snow rather than rain because I want my grass seed to take rather than get washed out by the rain. I need to see the back yard fill out better this year so there is less places for my dog to get muddy in when it rains.
I love, love the photos. Those are the type of photos that I wish I took this winter. For me though, it would require a purposeful trip with time to stop and take said photos. I failed in making that time. Anyway, your photos gave me a moment of awe of the beauty. I especially loved the last two photos and agree with your thought in regards to Mr. Tumnus.
Yesterday, we awoke to frost upon our ground, cars, etc. It really was beautiful in its own way. The crispness in the air was refreshing, but I must admit today that I did not care for the chill. While I love winter, and I do, I am ready for Spring to come around. Although, not too ready for summer which will only be a blink away.
By the way, last week or more, we have been hearing a few tweets from the birds and it really is a thrilling thing when we have gone without their music for a bit of time. There is a peaceful thing about sitting and enjoying God’s glorious work, with coffee in hand, book in reach, and music of his creatures…the birds, but the crickets can work too. 🙂
We haven’t been much above 50 yet here in Seattle but I think if the snow came back I would probably shed a couple tears! I am very, very ready for spring!
Kristin M.: It has been pretty glorious here these past couple of days. Other than mud there is almost no sign we were hit with snow just a few days back.
Ibeeg: Thank you. 🙂 Glad you agree with the Mr. Tumnus reference. Frost can be very beautiful as well, especially when the sun is shining and the light is glinting off of it. I am never ready for summer. I do not enjoy hot, sticky weather. I wish spring lasted from March to September and then autumn would kick in. I have to really make an effort to not be too grouchy in the summer and to enjoy it for what it is.
Isn’t it great hearing the birds again? It is indeed very peaceful and joyful to hear everything coming alive again.
Not a lot of birds noise here in Portland yet, – some, not a lot – but boy are the frogs ever singing! That’s good, they eat slugs.
Such beautiful photos, Carl! Though I do hope the snow vanishes and lets you indulge in spring fever proper soon.
We’re snow-free (and will hopefully stay that way for a while) and have had some sunshine already. We’ve had birds and rabbits in the garden too. ^-^ Mmmm… Spring…
What a peaceful way to start your day – and mine! I would bet that snow is gone already. It has been warmish here, too. The snow is gone and all the muck is left. If I go out to clean up today, I bet I will find little, soft green shoots poking through. I also wouldn’t be surprised if we had snow one more time this month.
Your photos are quite lovely! That magical last one is dreamy. Stories could definitely be written about it.
Just finished American Gods. I did enjoy it, had a hard time putting it down, but Neverwhere and Stardust would still rank above it for me. I did like the Wisconsin setting, which I picture as very near Gaiman’s home. Who knows, I have probably driven right by!
Well happy spring, and I am looking forward to Once Upon A Time. I plan to get the author read/prefered audio of Neverwhere, which is the bee’s knee’s as far as I am concerned.
And I enjoyed Frost, too. He is one of my favorites. Thanks, Carl 🙂
What a wonderful post! I love winter and don’t care much for spring, so I’m in heaven right now. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your pictures and the poem with us. It made my day.
Vasilly: Thank you! I’m not sure I’ve ever heard anyone admit to not being fond of spring…unless of course it was someone with allergies, and then I understand completely! It is all rainy here today. We are getting those “April showers” early. I’m glad you enjoyed these. 🙂
Qugrainne: I have the author’s preferred audio of Neverwhere and the book version. Haven’t decided yet if I am going to read it during the challenge or listen to it, though I’m leaning towards the listening experience. Gaiman reading his own work is magical.
Now that you’ve finished American Gods, you HAVE to read the novella, Monarch of the Glen. It takes place after the events of AG and is about Shadow. It is in the Fragile Things collection. Great story.
Yes, the snow disappeared very quickly. We actually had nice enough weather that I spent some time out on the deck reading Name of the Wind. Won’t be happening today though, spring rains!
Shanra: The weather forecast appears mostly springlike for the next week. Although I think some colder temps are on the way too. Hopefully no more snow though. I wouldn’t mind a late freeze or two though if it would kill the bugs as they are starting to come back.
RkR: Is that normal to hear frogs and not have a lot of birds around? I imagine it is, I’m just used to the complete opposite.
Oh, such beautiful photos. Truly. My favorite snows always were the late ones, heavy and wet and able to cling to everything. And combining such images with Frost is – well, perfect.
I’m sure you’re all ready for spring up there, and I’d be happy to send you some if I could. The wisteria is dripping already, and the plum and pear are in full bloom. The tulips have come and gone and the birds are nesting, so it won’t be long for you, even if it does feel like a fantasy just now!
shoreacres: Thank you. I am always of the opinion that if it is going to go ahead and snow, it needs to do it right. I think you must have sent us some spring anyway, because it is 75 degrees and gorgeous here today and is supposed to be that way tomorrow too!