A - Z Challenge: E

E is for Empty. 

I had a much different plan for this post but my mind became far too busy with the idea of emptiness.  I had to find a way to empty my mind.  Now my mind may be full of nonsense but it is always full.  The only time I can empty it - even the littlest bit - is in tai chi.  And the best I can do then is focus on my breathing.  So, in...and...out...is my mind empty?  Not quite. 

I went and stood under the shower for a few minutes hoping that I could let the water wash all that busy thinking down the drain.  But I am inspired in the shower.  That's where I do all my best thinking.  The mind is free to empty and fill again with a whole new set of ideas.

The thing is, empty is just a word.  I don't see it as a negative.  Empty for me is  a positive: it has potential.  An empty box is just waiting to be filled.  An empty beach is waiting for me to experience the pleasure of a walk of discovery.   I never saw an empty shelf that I didn't love.   An empty square on the calendar means a day full of surprises.  I have so much I could put in it: it's a day to read, or knit  or putter in the garden, or, or, or.  A few empty hours are a gift. 

Now I'm wondering:  is emptiness an illusion? 

A - Z Challenge: D

D is for Drop.

Where I live there are no shortage of drops at this time of year. 

Maybe I should just be honest and call them drips.

No matter, still working on D here.  The drops gather...

And, having gathered...well, they drop, you see.

Get enough drops and you have a puddle.  Another thing we have lots of right now.

A - Z Challenge: C

C is for Cup. 

This is a cup. 

This is not a cup...it is a mug.  But how do you tell the difference?  Back to the top photo.  Notice that there's a saucer that goes with this kind of cup.  Is that what makes it not a mug?  It has a cow on it so it can stay for C-day. 

If you were "in your cups" this is the kind of cup we might be talking about.  But is it a cup?  Apparently not...it has neither a saucer nor a handle.  But it does have a leg.  Now that's handy because too many of these and you'd be 'legless', for sure. 

These are cups, too.  But they don't have saucers and they have funny-looking handles.  Why are they cups and not mugs?  Oh, yeah.  These are one-cup measures.  If you compare what each holds - as I have - you will find that they are not the same.  Which one is accurate?  I have no idea.  I usually figure the glass one is right because it has more lines.  Now is that a scientific conclusion?  Probably not.  In fact there is about a tablespoon  of difference when I fill them up.  Don't  get me started on tablespoons.

Oh, my... I think I need a cuppa.

A-Z Challenge: B

B is for Blossoms 

In the spring, there is one plant that has masses of blossoms.  It flowers like mad when everything else stubbornly remains asleep.  And that is the heather.  We have two varieties that bloom in the spring.  One light pink which makes a lovely border to one of the garden beds.  That would be the light one above.  Aren't the little blossoms intricate?

Then, we have a second, solitary plant out under the fir tree.  It seems to have had a good winter because it's showing off right now.  I liked the color when I saw it in the nursery and so, we have one.

But do you see the bonus B-word?  Yes!  An intrepid early bee has come to explore.  I think having your back against a rock, sitting in the spring sunshine is likely to entice anyone to linger a while with you.  This bee spent many minutes sampling each tiny pink blossom.

And, then!  just as I was taking my camera inside, I spied my favorite blossom of all time.  The first one of spring for me is always the most special.  A brilliant pop of blossom-y sunshine.  Oh, I do love dandelions.