APRIL AND DAFFODILS-HOPE

 A Daffodil is the symbol for hope for cancer research and cure.

Cancer has affected everyone's family. Or at least in the friendship circle.

Buying daffodils.

Wearing the pin.

Planting them in your garden.

Mine are coming up as I speak.

Symbols of hope.

#cancer#daffodilssymbolsofhope#alwayshavehope#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

DAFFODIL-THE APRIL CANCER FLOWER

The Daffodil is the April flower of hope. Cancer flower! Buying daffodils or wearing little plastic daffodil pins helps support cancer research and resources for cancer patients.

Planted in the Fall the spring bulbs like the Daffodil come up in Canadian gardens to make a lovely statement in the garden. Grown in clusters or alone the yellow or white amongst the dirt is a wonderful reminder of the tenacity of nature.

#daffodils#cancersociety#hope#garden

DAFFODILS FOR APRIL

The Daffodil is the flower for April. Why? It is a reminder about cancer awareness. The ones we wear on our lapels are a reminder as well as a fund raiser for the Cancer Society. Everyone has been touched by cancer in their families or even personally. It still is a hard burden to carry! I just always say- Cancer Sucks! No sugar coating about courage and carrying on! So buy your daffodils! We are all in this together.

APRIL HERALDS SPRING

With a new month particularly April there is real hope that the weather will change. The outdoors will be inviting. However some of my memories of April include freezing rain and ice for 4 days after the birth of my second child in April, a snowstorm April 15th when I was finishing my university days and the same snowy picture of my backyard on Easter Sunday that I had from Christmas morning! So all my optimism is hopeful- especially for the Maritimes that have been slammed by one snowstorm after another! There were some snowdrop flowers poking up their heads in the front part of the garden. More song birds are heard singing are my walks to work. The furnace is not running non-stop anymore. The days are longer and a little warmer. I even bought new running shoes to wear next week hoping to put away the winter boots. The icy patches on the sidewalk are gone now- well mostly as I still need to be careful. What is it about a new month? It is just a date on a calendar. The name for April comes from Aphrodite in Greek- Goddess of love. For the Romans April the 4th month of the year was sacred to Venus their Goddess of love. So is April about love. Is that why the animals and birdies mate with an influx of babies? Are there more human babies 10 months hence due to the Spring urges? Or do we just feel good to be over winter? For those with gardens the dual duties of home become paramount- inside work and outside work. April gives some time for the ground to dry and planning to happen. Do we seed some plants, decide to prune or cut back some areas or create a new area in the garden? For most gardeners the bulbs and other perennials will be sprouting through the ground over the next two months which is a pleasure to see with minimal work other than some raking of the leaves that covered the gardens over the winter months!! But still work! Easter, birthdays and family gatherings are in the forecast regardless of the weather! How about you? What are your plans?

The Daffodil- the symbol for Cancer awareness. So try to reflect on those you lost from cancer! Wear the daffodil pin to remind others!

CANADIAN SPRING FULL OF COLOUR WITH A BUDDING CROCUS

Once the snow melts it is amazing how the bulbs just start to burst all over. Amongst the brown patches, little crocuses of a variety of colours are visible in the garden. The first true signs of what is to come. The leaves of the tulips and daffodils are emerging filling spots of dull soil. Waiting to see  if some new bulbs planted in the fall will come up under some areas in the back. Concerned that the heavy weight of the winter snow may have pushed them into a deeper part of the earth. Time will tell. Planting and waiting to see growth takes patience. Like life when we study, save or live, we wait sometimes to see what will take, grow or be stunted. Spring bulbs are so colourful relieving the white then brown of the previous season. Slowly areas come to life!

A CANADIAN SPRING GARDEN

The enjoyment of each season varies. For me the flowers emerging  from the ground in the garden bring something new every day.

Having tulips in April is rare in my area but enjoyable......

Sometimes little characters appear that add some interest to a boring spot.

How is your garden coming along? Are you enjoying the renewel of nature's wonder at its best? Gardens are one of God's true blessings to us!

THE DAFFODIL

Is the April symbol for cancer and hope. It actually grows in the garden closer to May. Daffodils are just one of many Spring bulbs that are anticpated with joy every year after a long winter. Laying dormant under the snow, they come alive at the same time every year. We take so much for granted in our lives. Nature sure does have a way of keeping us humble. Bulbs pop through the ground when they are ready. Birds arrive from the south on cue. Butterflies flock back to us. The cycle of life that comes alive in the Spring. How is your garden growing? Are you watching for the arrival of the Spring growth? Do you ever marvel at the rhythm of nature?