Summer Solstice Arrives

Sunday, July 17, 2011

A Poem for the Greenman

Found this poem on the Farmer's Almanac newsletter page and thought how perfectly it speaks of the Greenman and the Summer season:

Come ye into the summer woods;
There entereth no annoy;
All greenly wave the chestnut leaves,
And the earth is full of joy.
–Mary Howitt (1799–1888

Speaking of Summer, even though we are having our fair share(and more!) of rain here in the Pacific Northwest, our garden and flowers have all of sudden come wildly into bloom Only three days ago there were no ripe raspberries, but yesterday I picked at least 30 raspberries and there are many more nearly ready to pick. Our strawberries have to be picked or the birds will get them. And in the last 3 or 4 days the snow peas have gone from flower to pods.

Yes, summer is finally here!!

Blessings,

Duncan

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Time gets awa'

Cannot believe it's so long since my last post. Been busy with my recovery from the surgery--now can walk up to 2+ miles every few days and even more important I am back into the garden at least for a few minutes most days.
Had a harp string break yesterday, but to my delight I was able to re-string the harp in record time (at least for me), a matter of minutes rather than hours.
Having fun working on a new piece of music: A Scots Tune from Jane Pickerings Lute Book of 1616. I think it will be good to bring to the hospital. And speaking of such, I am going to be having coffee with the Gail P. who is now playing Harp music as a volunteer with the Spiritual Care department--looking forward to meeting with her and discussing music for the hospital.
I am looking forward to returning as a harper there, but I am learning that I must take each day as it comes and work live for today, know that in so doing I will eventually be back doing what I love
By the way, discovered a fun harp site to explore: Dagdas Harps--in the U.K. of all places. Must talk with Scotty so I can beam over there...would love to spend an afternoon browsing and drooling over their harps.

Blessings to you all,

Duncan

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Ah, the Garden and dirty hands!

Spent a few minutes out with Kim planting some tomatoes, pumpkins and herbs that she had picked up. A cold, wet day here, but was so good to get out and connect with Mother Earth again. I tire more quickly than I would like, but have to remind myself that less than 3 weeks ago, I was still using the walker. Now I can drive and do a bit of planting...yahoo!
And I think of a favorite quote of mine at this time of Spring and planting:
          "There's a Part of the Sun in the Apple,
           There's a Part of the Moon in a Rose,
           There's a Part of the Flaming Pleiades
             In everything that Grows."
Friends, may your Spring bring you pleasure and a wonderful Garden.
Beannachd,
Duncan

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Simon Chadwick: Early Clàrsach

Another beautiful day begins, following a wondrous Full Moon which came up last night.
A blog to follow is the one below: lots of good and delightful harp information.
Simon Chadwick: Early Clàrsach

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Ah, the Green Harper returns!

I have been recovering from a serious stay in the hospital at the beginning of March for two weeks,  and while I still have a number of weeks/months to regain my full strength, it is wonderful to be able to walk outside again.
I was able to fill our bird feeders and walk in the yard inhaling the sweet, sweet scent of the apple blossoms and delighting in all the various colors of Green that grace the Spring Season.
Although with all the rain this year to date, Spring has been elusive, to put it mildly! But we are promised a few days of sun this week, so my soul doth rejoiceth.
Will be posting a bit more often (I hope!) and look forward to sharing some poems/quotations that I have discovered.
Blessings, dear friends and may the Spring bless with Joy.