Inspiration from My Shenandoah Valley Garden

"It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want – oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!"  ~Mark Twain

I've spent countless hours outdoors laboring to restore order and beauty to my earthy realm. Many plants are missing from the borders, even faithful standbys. The bitter cold of the past few months took its toll. Overwintering weeds crowd out those herbs and flowers still clinging to life and must be carefully evicted. After a lengthy hibernation, I'm tearing about like a deranged bunny, but sleeping well. There's nothing like the profound peace that follows working in and among plants, with birds trilling overhead and from nearby fields, lowing cows, fussy nesting geese...all the sounds, sights, and scents of my country garden. 

Any writing I'm getting done is in my head, and a new story is slowly taking form. I seem to think more clearly outdoors. Conversations and scenes appear to me. I met a fascinating new character who has captivated my imagination. I must know her story. The challenge to these revelations is remembering them later. At the time, they're so clear, but they fade in the resulting haze. I suppose I should take a notebook out with me and jot ideas down on pages soiled with dirt. Some writers say ideas come to them in the shower, or while driving, so why not the garden? As long as they come. What of you? Where do you find your inspiration?

"I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden." ~Ruth Stout

The image below of the cow licking her newborn calf is what I see out my kitchen window today. Husband Dennis took it. Daughter Elise took the images above. Those are Virginia bluebells my dear late grandmother gave me years ago. 

"Science has never drummed up quite as effective a tranquilizing agent as a sunny spring day."  ~W. Earl Hall