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After a bleak and dreary few days, this morning broke with some welcome Spring sunshine, to chase away those rainy blues. How long the sun’s warming rays will grace us with their presence, who knows? Let’s just make the most of it, whilst it is here.
SPRING FLOWERS by JOHN KEBLE (1792-1866)
Words Taken from:-
‘POEMS OF THE SEASONS‘ Illustrated by GORDON BENINGFIELD.
The loveliest flowers the closest cling to earth,
And they first feel the sun; so violets blue,
So the soft star-like primrose drenched in dew,
The happiest of Spring’s happy, fragrant birth,
To gentlest touches sweetest tones reply;-
Still humbleness with her low-breathed voice
Can steal 0’er man’s proud heart, and win his choice
From earth to heaven, with mightier witchery
Than eloquence or wisdom e’er could own.
Bloom on then in your shade, contented bloom,
Sweet flowers, nor deem yourselves to all unknown,
Heaven knows you, who one day for their altered doom
Shall thank you, taught by you to abase themselves and live.
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John Keble (25 April 1792 – 29 March 1866) was an English churchman and poet, one of the leaders of the Oxford Movement, and gave his name to Keble College, Oxford.
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Gordon Beningfield (31 October 1936, London–1998) was an eloquent, influential advocate for the protection of the English countryside and its varied wildlife – and one of Britain’s most talented, versatile wildlife and countryside artists.
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What a lovely way to start off my day with beautiful thoughts of spring. It’s very gray and rainy here today. Have a wonderful day.
Hi Diane,
This is about the first day it has got to lunch time without it pouring with rain or hailstones.
I am just making the most of it, as it is not forecast to last past today.
It is still very chilly though.
Thanks for reading my post and leaving comment, have a good day.
I was feeling a little gloomy looking out on (yet more!) the rain but your spring like post has cheered me up no end. Thank you.
Hi Barbara,
I just realised exactly how close we are geographically, I live in Frome and have been here for the last twenty or so years.
We had a 10 minute downpour here about 2pm, but apart from that, it has been dry, bright and sunny all day.
I am not very often home during the day, so thought that I had better make the effort and tidy the garden a little … ugh!
Time for a nice cup of tea and an hour at the computer.
I wish we were getting warmer weather. The weather teases us for a few days and then it gets colder. I can’t wait to wear lighter clothes!
Hi Jennifer,
I guess that I shouldn’t be complaining about the rain, given that most of the UK is now officially in drought conditions and on hose-pipe bans.
If only it would rain during the night, it would be fantastic and we would all be happy!
Spring can only be ‘just around the corner’ and I hope that it gets to you very soon … LOL!
Thanks for stopping by.
I’ve got that book! It’s absolutely stunning isn’t it? I adore the artwork.
Hi Cath,
I picked this book up in the charity shop some time ago and only remembered it when I was looking for some inspiration for a makeshift post.
I don’t read poetry an awful lot, but I will pick up a book and browse a couple of pages now and then, as the mood takes me.
I didn’t know of Gordon Beningfield until I saw this book, but I also love the artwork. I see that there are numerous books containing his illustrations and I shall definitely be looking out for them on my regular trawls around the charity shops.
I love art and visiting galleries, although I am spectacularly bad at drawing and painting myself. In fact I love craftwork of any description, although once again, knitting, basic crochet and basic embroidery, are about all I can master.
Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate your comments.
I’m not a great reader of poetry either but am the same as you with bits of poems now and then. I have several of these books I think, bought in one of those cheap ‘end of range’ type bookshops for very little money. I love them.
Peter and I have discovered a new love of art… although we’ve always enjoyed art galleries, so perhaps not so new. Cardiff museum was an eye-opener really. Since then we’ve been watching Jeremy Paxman’s series from a couple of years ago about the Victorians and their art. I got it for £6.50 on Amazon and it was worth every single penny as it’s turned out to be a stunning series. No idea why we didn’t watch it when it was first aired. Thought it might be a bit stuffy perhaps… it’s anything *but*. And of course I’ve always found Paxo to be very easy on the eye, even more so now that he’s nicely matured. 😉
Nice to chat to you. My reading has been a bit slow this month, partly busy at Easter, but also we’re now decorating our bedroom. So posts from me have been few and far between. I’m just about to finish a book though so hopefully there will be something from me soon.
Hi Cath,
Keeping up with posts is a nightmare for me right now as well and we have an extremely busy May coming up, so that doesn’t bode well.
I have quite a back-log of author requests to fulfill, but I just don’t seem to be able to get any quality reading time, to have anything to post about.
We could really do with getting stuck into some decorating and the garden, but Dave is struggling so hard to make his latest business venture work, that he just doesn’t have a spare minute to himself.
We love looking around galleries and museums, however Dave isn’t that keen on watching the programmes on TV. He is more of a visual person and likes to be able to read exhibit information for himself. We have just done a bespoke trail around Taunton, which includes the new Museum of Somerset and that was really interesting to research.
I find Paxo. to be a bit abrasive and egotistical, although he is quite dogmatic with some these slippery politicians, which is good! He is fairly good to look at though!
Meeting a friend in Frome for coffee, if it ever stops raining, must dash.