The bluebells are out.
They may have been out for a few days but I only noticed them today. They grow in a narrow and steep patch on the edge of the garden; in a tiny patch under a canopy of lilacs and other sprawling shrubs where neither gardener nor I ever clear the undergrowth or take our pruning shears.
This concludes my search for joy; if I can find joy in the small things of everyday life, then there's hope for me. It was a useful exercise; the next time I feel disheartened, I'll try to remind myself that joy doesn't come in great fanfares but in the more muted song of the thrush and the hidden treasures lurking in the undergrowth.
Ooooo er! I dont normally get to post first of your blog!
ReplyDeleteThe Bluebells are just coming into there own at the moment, unfortunately the weather has taken a turn for the worst, and I may not be able to get to see them in their full glory. So good to see your picture here.
Well said...that joy doesn't come in great fanfares. Finding happiness in every small thing is the key to life. I loved these blue bells...Could u plz upload a pic of canopy of lilacs?
ReplyDeleteHello:
ReplyDeleteAnd, it is joy indeed when one discovers an unassuming, humble flower blooming without any assistance from the human hand. Is there ever such a wonderful sight as a sea of bluebells? A joy to behold in English woodlands the length and breadth of the country.
Ah, this post brought joy - it's good to remind ourselves of the happy little things, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing when we can find the smallest things..and find joy??? Wonderful and inspiring thoughts and images!
ReplyDeletesmiles..i am glad there is hope for you...i have enjoyed the journey...and those blue bells are spectacular
ReplyDeleteA photographer in Montana just posted blooming bluebells a couple of days ago. If I were energetic I'd check out your latitude and his - I suspect they're not too far separated. Interesting to think of similar flowers blooming at the same time, despite the difference in miles.
ReplyDeleteAnd how right you are, about the smaller joys. One of the great advantages I've found with small delights is that they usually don't come with a press agent and a crowd. You don't need to worry about parking, and if you don't want to share your secret discovery, you don't have to.
Of course, we're always happy when you do!
Possibly small joys are much easier to enjoy , there being no anxiety over possibly being robbed of them , which spectacular joys bring .
ReplyDeleteHow lovely a shot
ReplyDeletebut more lovely
your exploration of
joy.
don't stop!
Warm Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
> < } } (°>
Now that is definitely a joyful sight! I had to go look this up, too--and realized that, over here, they're called wood hyacinth. Either way, it's so good to see them.
ReplyDeleteGardens really are the best things for cheering. Whenever I am most sad I dig, and weed, and water. Your bluebells are lovely... I had one, that I stole last year from a friend's garden (with more than a surfeit). It did struggle into bloom last week, but I put it too close to the bird feeders, and the greedy ducks who come to clean up dropped seed trampled it. Poor bluebell!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, those are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful week ahead! :)
Oh how lovely and it means that when I get back we should have a lovely crop to see first thing! Oh Joy!
ReplyDeleteAnd your posts have been a Joy as well, Friko. Many thanks...
Ein Blau für die Seele.
ReplyDeleteWasn't there a jump rope rhyme that had something to do with bluebells? And cockle shells, eevie, ivy, over ?
ReplyDeleteYes, they are indeed beautiful. I myself need to remember that the glorious days of my life are happening right now. Thank you for the lovely post, and the flowers in my favorite color. :-)
ReplyDeleteI can't count the times nature's beauty has made me smile. I can be in the foulest mood and walk outside, see the rising moon, and grin like a Cheshire Cat.
ReplyDeletevery nice. we humans tend to get in a rut where we only see the annoying or pestering things when the small joyful ones are there as well.
ReplyDeleteDon't you think it's annoying when we have to get out joy out of the little less obvious things? Just for once I'd like to get it out of a great big blow my mind out event. That's just my personal opinion. xox
ReplyDeleteThe little things are the ones that make my day. And bluebells are always a joy. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteoh i love bluebell season - joyful indeed! good reminder thanks
ReplyDeleteI remember being overwhelmed by the beauty of an English wood full of bluebells. And I've enjoyed this exercise of yours, Friko.
ReplyDeleteThe simple and unexpected moments in our lives seem to bring a special kind of joy -- and those flowers are gorgeous! I'm so glad they have brought light into your life -- and thanks for spreading it around with that beautiful picture!
ReplyDeleteYour sharing the joy has reminded me that sharing it is as important as finding it. And a reminder also that some joys are well hidden.
ReplyDeleteNext week, I'll be in England, and I hope there will be some bluebells left - I've never seen them in the abundance I know from pictures of English woodland, somehow I've always been either too late or too early.
ReplyDeleteBluebells here too, but forget-me-not under my still-leafless lilac.
ReplyDeleteI often recognise the joyful moments, the things that make me smile when I sit down to write about the day.
I loved your journey of joy dear Friko! I hope the weather is better and your knee warms up with sunshine!
ReplyDeleteIs there still some chocolate left? :-)
At what point does a 'small' joy become a 'big' one?? And are the 'big' joys more valid than the 'small'?? Just askin' ...
ReplyDeleteThe way in which sunlight becomes part of the composition in your lovely bluebell photo is quite wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThank you dear Friko for your generosity in sharing joys.
xo
Wow, your bluebells are really blue. Mine are lighter. I wonder if it is the difference in the light. Dianne
ReplyDeleteYour lessons in finding joy are ones from which I can also benefit. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYour bluebells are ahead of ours.
ReplyDeleteRegarding your comment on Canada being cold - it is, but we live in the most moderate climate in the country, a climate that is very similar to England's. Many many English people settled here years ago. Our climate is tempered by the ocean all around our island, and we're in the rain shelter of the Olympic Mountains on the USA's Olympic peninsula.
I've enjoyed your posts on finding joy in everyday things.
Pretty, pretty.
ReplyDeleteI like finding colour where I thought a plant had died. [Plenty of those spots in my little yard.]
thank you for sharing
ReplyDeletenice work
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bluebells. I have seen a lone swallow this week. I love your lace tablecloth on the post below. Hope you are feeling better these days. x Jo
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post to remind me the joy found in the mundane daily life. I like your expression “joy doesn't come in great fanfares but in the more muted song of the thrush and the hidden treasures lurking in the undergrowth.”
ReplyDeleteYoko
I think I need to print out your last paragraph and stick it on my refrigerator so I won't forget the muted song or the hidden treasures in the undergrowth of life. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI always try to remind myself that joy is not happiness and can be found in very unexpected ways, even in the midst of difficulties. This has been a most enlightening and enjoyable series of posts, Friko.
ReplyDeleteI hope this hasn't really concluded your search for joy, only your writing about it! I agree entirely about the power of small things. At one of the lowest ebbs of my life I was prevented from doing myself in by the beauty of a poached egg, even though I didn't eat it!
ReplyDeleteLovely bluebells. For the first time I am linking these flora with the words of a kiddy song. What an image when they connect! I see myself on a swing with my friend singing away...bluebells...Sweet
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