Spring is here

The mornings are still really cold, and there is water trapped in the grass in the garden but by the afternoon its always sunny and bright, granny always advises spring is here.

Mum and dad though it would be fun to make sure and planned an afternoon in the garden to see.

Everyone had their welly boots on, no-one wants soggy socks.

It was really brisk, granny’s favorite word. 

Mum was checking on her flowers to make sure the frost didn’t get to them hoping they would bloom again soon.

Dad was busy in the shed checking there was no leeks or stuff he called mold that turned everything bad.

Mary just wanted to see if there were any new flowers ready yet she could draw or give to mum.

Round and round the garden she went even behind the shed and the swing but so far no wee flower buds.

After several trips found the garden some going one way then the other way to make sure none were missed, Mary still hadn’t seen any new buds.  

Unhappy she plodded over to mum who was weeding now.

“What’s weeding mum?” inquired a grumpy Mary.

“There is no such thing as a weed, I’m just taking out the invaders to save the soil for the plants we want.”  Advised mum with a nod and searching for any that had been missed by her eagle eye.

“Oh, have you spotted any snowdrops or daffodils yet?“  Hoped Mary who longed to see at least a pop of colour.

“Well we don’t have any yet but I can show you where does have some, follow me.”  Offered mum as she stood up and offered Mary her hand to follow.

Up they got, wiping down their clothes of all the soil.  Round the side of the house, just by the garden fence mum pointed.

“Do you see them?” asked mum trying to get Mary to look where she was pointing .

“What am I looking for?” asked Mary with her hand on her forehead in dismay.

Mum crouched down just behind Mary and asked to follow her hand and see where she was meaning.

Mary stood still, her eyes following over mum’s arm, over mum’s fingers, and over the imaginary line to where mum was pointing.

There right there in the neighbors garden was several wee white snowdrop buds, over a wee bit further were the bright yellow daffodils.

“Yey we found them,” yelled Mary with glee.  “Why don’t we have any yet?”

“Can you feel the breeze?” asked mum.

“Yea its really cold,” confirmed Mary.

“Well that’s why we don’t have any yet, its too cold for the plants right now but we will get them, it will just take a bit longer for our flowers  to break through.  While we wait we can enjoy  Mr browns flowers then when we get the warmth he can enjoy ours.

That sounds fair though Mary, also means we both get to enjoy the colours for a bit longer.

23.04.2017 ©joannehepburn 

Cloud Faces

What a beautiful sunny day thought Mary.

Perfect day for an adventure.

Mary put on shorts, a t-shirt with pockets, wellie boots, no soggy feet for Mary today and a hat no getting sunburn either. 

Off Mary went to pick up her back pack a snack and let mum know then off to start the day’s adventure.

Skipping over the pebbles all the way to the burn. 

Searching in the crisp clear water for shiny stones to give to mum.

Looking through the green,  green  grass for the new flowers and pieces of interesting leaves.

Climbing trees to see what things looked like from up high, then the challenge of getting back down without falling.  Made it safely to the ground, no tree house building today it is too warm.

Off wandering further up the hill through fences and gates.

Up at the top in super quick time, but nothing interesting or new yet it was too early in the spring.

It was disappointing but it was a lovely day at least Mary had a shiny rock from the burn for mum.

No more skipping it was far to hot but a nice walk in the shade where the trees were beside the path, 

that was an adventure all of its own to not get to close and fall in the burn.

But Mary made it, hopefully no sunburn and home safe for some juice, Mary was very thirsty after the mini hike.

Mary opened the door to a very unhappy Joe.

“Whats up Joe?” Mary asked not expecting an answer.

“Wahh, aaahhhhh, aaahhhh” oh my your teeth not made it in yet?  Thought Mary to herself.

“I think Joe is too hot and his teeth are giving him a hard time” replied mum from the other room.

My goodness how does she know?  Thought Mary she isn’t even in the same room!

"How about some sunshine Joe?  That will make you feel better, there is a light breeze too so you might even get a chance to cool down a bit?" Spoke Mary mostly to herself not expecting an answer from Joe, just to let mum know.

Mum picked up and pushed the seat/chair/basket Joe was in, Mary picked up the umbrella mum pointed out and they all sat out in the garden beside dads shed.  Mum angled the chairs and Joe so they all had the best view of the sun and clouds in the  sky. 

Mary handed over the umbrella so mum could put it in the ground at the right angle to give some shade.

Now the fun really begins with a cool juice it was time to spot the best shapes in the clouds.

Mum and Mary pointed at the moving white bundles of fluff as they slowly passed in the sky.

A dog, a balloon, a whale.

Not sure Joe understood but they both followed his wee hand and guessed what they thought it could be, at least he wasn’t crying or being grumpy from his teeth.

Cloud faces really helped thought Mary.

©joannehepburn 09.04.2017

The weather

“Mmmmm” groaned Mary waking up and stretching.

Drawing back the curtains to see what the day had to offer.  

There was frost on the grass, the trees and washing line were swaying in the wind but it was lovely and sunny.  

What on earth was going on with the weather today?

Mary sleepily went down stairs to ask.

Mum was in the kitchen half doing the dishes and half teasing Joe with bubbles.

“Mum what is going on with the weather today?” demanded Mary.

“Good morning to you too Mary.  Well lets have a look, the grass is frosty the trees and waving but the sun is shining bright.  I’d say its a beautiful bright day with a chill in the air and to expect rain around lunch time.” Advised mum in a matter of fact tone.

“But how can all of those different things fit in to one day?” Inquired Mary confused.

“Well that is just a small selection Mary.  See the hills that are around us that creates a valley.  Also with the beach being so close too that follows the tides and the currents from around the world so the temperature from both of those things also effects us on top of whatever the sky is planning so we could wake up to some snow, have our snow man knocked down by the wind by eleven, have pouring rain by lunch and beautiful sunshine in time for tea.” Explained mum.

“But how?  How can all of these things change so quick? Questioned a very confused Mary.

“Well think of it like this, the day starts with every one having a really good sleep so everyone is happy but then as the day goes on dad has to go for a shower to get all the oil out of his hair so he’s rain.  You have to have an adventure and are climbing tree’s so they are moving from you adding bits to them to create your latest hut so your wind.  I have to prepare all of the food to make sure it doesn’t go off so I’ll be frost and snow to make sure everything is kept chilled.  Joe is always smiling and happy because he’s still to wee to really have anything to worry about so he can be sunshine.  See how all of the weather can fit together so closely?  That’s why I always make sure we have jackets and suitable shoes before we go anywhere so we are never caught by surprise. Said Mum with a smile.

“My goodness that’s awfully complicated”, replied Mary with a frown.

“Don’t worry Mary just make sure you always take a jacket and a snack on your adventures so you don’t get caught out.”

“Aww is that why you always tell me to take a jacket? Clicked Mary.

“Yes there is nothing worse than being stuck cold and soggy because the weather changed its mind.”

“Yes, that makes perfect sense now, I’ll try to remember.”   Smiled Mary thinking of breakfast and adventures

©joannehepburn

02/04/2017