Flowers and Emily Dickinson on a sick day

The last few days have been rough for me. I’ve been battling a bad cold and falling behind on everything I need to get done. In fun news, I’ve gotten to hear the owlet sing (or make sounds anyway) over several nights, and it’s strong enough to reach the tree tops now.

I’ve been outside very little but wandered in the garden for a bit earlier today. The scent of gardenias wafts into the house most mornings. The hydrangeas are lovelier and more abundant than in recent summers. And plenty of other garden beauties beg for admiration.

A fragrant gardenia

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Do bloggers get sick days?

Here it is Wednesday, the day of the week I usually post something, and yet, I don’t feel much like sitting at my computer. For several days, I’ve been fighting a cold, and yesterday, the cold started fighting back even harder by moving into my lungs, firing up a fever and making everything generally pretty achy. So if you don’t mind, I’m going to take today off.

But I’ll share with you one of my favorite Irish blessings, so very true for me this week, as I’ve found myself grateful for a warm, dry house during days of rain, wind and cold, and also thankful for warm cups of tea:

May you always be blessed
With walls for the wind.
A roof for the rain.
A warm cup of tea by the fire.
Laughter to cheer you.
Those you love near you.
And all that your
Heart might desire.

My heart desires a good night’s sleep and clear lungs. Maybe your heart desires spring to come quickly? There are a few signs in my garden that spring is on its way. Look for pictures in the coming weeks. In the meantime, I’ll leave you with a little indoor cheer and a hope that the only fever you have is spring fever:

A paperwhite in bloom brings springtime inside, even in winter.

A paperwhite in bloom brings springtime inside, even in winter.