Thursday, May 14, 2009

The Hope of Spring and Black Flies

Spring in Nova Scotia is spectacular. Is it because the winter has been long and harsh? In any case, there is alot of bursting forth of things. Today as I was digging about in the dirt and was wondering what these beautiful flowers were, I was attacked by the crazy black flies that are really the most pesky little insects. They bite! Last year I had many bites on my neck, face and ankles. They seem to only be around for about three weeks or so. This is our second spring now in Nova Scotia, so we realize that we needn't become too discouraged about them, but dress with that in mind. (no shorts for gardening for a few weeks yet). As I was weeding in the garden today, I was thinking about life. That there are often black flies, some unpleasant incidences, that make us realize our vulnerability, imperfections. I am thinking that there is some grander hope beyond those things, though--like spring, new life, new beginnings, God, our rock.
The other day I took a picture of my neighbour's laundry hanging on the line. This is a very common sight in the Maritimes. It is something I love to see, but find harder to do. Our clothesline broke the other day when I actually tried to hang the clothes outside. Lou is in the process of repairing the line. This summer I plan to dry our clothes in this fashion alot more. In any case, I was intrigued at the methodical way in which Sandy had hung out her clothes--totally colour coded. She says she organizes them in that way when she removes them from the washer. There you go. A lesson in washing/drying clothes in the lifetime of learning.