Saturday, April 7, 2007

Easter Blessings


As you come around the corner of my street the dogwood tree stands out front of my house like a great white cloud. It always blooms between my birthday, March 27 and my daughter's, April 6. Every year this also happens to be at Easter-time. It should not grow where it is because it lives in full sun and dogwoods like forests with shade from pine trees.
It also should not grow on the crest of the sloped yard because the water drains away too quickly. It has also been hit by lightning and the center is missing. But the neighbors love it and we pamper it.

This year it has been especially full, white and quite beautiful. Old legends say it was used for the crucifixion cross because it was so strong like an oak. But Jesus took pity on it and said ever after it would only grow slender, bent and twisted so it could never be used for that purpose again. The blossoms form a cross with two long and two short petals. In the center of each petal there is a crown (of thorns) and the outer edge of each petal bears the nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red. To me it is my personal reminder of the meaning of the day, a new awakening to all the beauty and a reminder of God's blessings.
Happy Easter to all of you!

1 comment:

Chris said...

HI, thanks for the comment, I should point out the trees are at our local park, I gave up on my little plot in the yard as the slugs were eating everything, most disheartening!
Right, yarn stashes, collection of:
depends what you knit, what size you are and how much you like to accessorise. If you're a sock knitter, a couple of balls of fingering or sock yarn will always come in handy for something. Ditto other weights for gloves and hats. Otherwise, go with your gut. PAcks of things will generally make a full sweater unless you're on the large side. Otherwise, look at the labels and go for the colours you love and wonderful words like "Alpaca, Pure new wool, Merino, Angora". Don't be afraid to touch or my favourite rub them over the back of your hand to test for roughness and never be afraid to pick up odd balls, unless you really hate stripes, they'll always get used in something.
So endeth the lesson for the day!!!
Chris