To see the fire that warms you or, better yet, to cut the wood that feeds the fire that warms you; to see the spring where the water bubbles up that slakes your thirst and to dip your pail into it; to see the beams that are the stay of your four walls and the timbers that uphold the roof that shelters you; to be in direct and personal contact with the sources of your material life; to find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter; to find a quest of wild berries more satisfying than a gift of tropical fruit; to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wild flower in spring – these are some of the rewards of the simple life.
~ John Burroughs
(John Burroughs’ America: Selections from the Writings of the Naturalist)
Welcome Spring!
John Burroughs is one of my favorite authors. Thanks for the hopeful note on this iffy, cold first day of spring!
You’re welcome, Melissa! I share your fondness for the writings of John Burroughs. Let’s hope we have a nice warm spring followed by a not-too-brutal summer. 🙂
sunlight…need sunlight. Tired of being thankful that I have a large pile of wood to burn to keep me warm.
I totally agree with you Janet. Tired of paying the “glad game” !
Me, three! And how nice that the summer has not been as hot and humid as the one before it. I cannot fathom how many days we have not needed the air-conditioning!
A simple, uncomplicated life to me is a very grand life to have, and I especially enjoyed the thought of eating wild berries. 🙂
Yes, indeed, Joanne, a simple life is much to be desired but somewhat hard to create in our materialistic culture. Love summer berries, too. 🙂
Ah Yes Spring! Lovely thoughts of John Burroughs, to observe spring, to Be spring, allowing it to flow in from your feet to your heart and though to your higher self!
And here we are, already well into summer and I am still trying to catch up with spring! The flow of time is pushing me faster than I want to go on the merry-go-round of seasons…
Spr — ing ? I’ve heard about it. Haven’t seen it personally here. Sigh …
Laughing out loud here, Sybil! But when it finally came it stayed for a while and the summer has been rather mild, too. Now I wonder what autumn will bring…
Now THAT’S what I’m talkin’ about!
Amen, Laurie!
Happy spring, dear Barbara!!!
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
And a belated happy spring to you, Kathy! Do the seasons change as dramatically where you are so near the equator?
Indeed, indeed. the simple that most of us miss today… Our manners, behaviors, and daily proximity to ourselves, to one another, have changed a lot. And the feeling of loneliness, anxiety, being Under pressure has made us drift away towards more alienation, more hunger for everything simple, easy going and honest. But there is still nature, the natural elements around us keep little warmth in us, sometimes penetrating others’ hearts and bringing in a shared unity… Indeed, we must open our lives, our hearts to that allow for more sunbeam, and more spring’s warm haze that is impartial, soothing and loving.
So true, sadok, how nature keep bringing us back to simplicity and unity – what a powerful teacher she is when we keep ourselves open to hearing her messages…
They are great rewards, that’s for sure. Another great pairing of words and image, Barbara. Happy Spring. 🙂
Thank you, Robin! And a very belated happy spring to you, too! 🙂
Love the picture…provokes so many thoughts of Spring. The candles…maypoles..the egg..folkloric and reminiscent of Easter reminding me of the Russian dolls which start big and are encased with smaller and smaller likenesses. Isn’t Spring just like that, one sign bringing another, the robin then the crocus then the warmer breeze. And your selection of writing, so brilliant. You are so in touch with simplicity and our true core of knowing where we are at an given time. In this crazy busy world, such reality is refreshing. Thank you again.
Thank you, Susan! Ah yes, those lovely matryoshka dolls. I’m happy you enjoyed the images and words this post brought to your mind. Somehow spring slipped away from me this year, trying so hard to keep things simple when so many things and people and pets are clamoring for my attention. But I do love the change of seasons, even if they do seem to be flying by faster and faster…