"And, the merry firelight flickered..."

"The ruddy brick floor smiled up at the smoky ceiling; the oaken settles, shiny with long wear, exchanged cheerful glances with each other; plates on the dresser grinned at pots on the shelf, and the merry firelight flickered and played over everything without distinction..

In the embracing light and warmth, warm and dry at last, with weary legs propped up in front of them, and a suggestive clink of plates being arranged on the table behind, it seemed to the storm-driven animals, now in safe anchorage, that the cold and trackless Wild Wood just left outside was miles and miles away, and all that they had suffered in it a half-forgotten dream."

  ~Kenneth Graham
Mr. Badger Chapter,
The Wind in the Willows

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And, that's kind of the way it was here just a few days ago.  There was snow, sleet, freezing rain, and a cold wind blowing, certainly enough to drive both man and beast inside to the comforts of a warm fire.

But, all of that could well have been forgotten today, for it was an almost spring-like day here in our Wild Wood.   Millie and I walked the longer trail as we often do on warm sunny days.  We didn't see any signs of spring, even though we looked, but we couldn't help noticing touches of red here and there.

Reflections were at their best on the pond.  It almost seemed that Thoreau might step down to pond's edge just to see what he could see, or to catch a nice bass for his supper.  Or, perhaps to take his morning bath!  (Millie made the ripples when she waded out for a little bath.)

"Every morning was a cheerful invitation to make my life of equal simplicity, and I may say innocence, with nature herself.  I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks.  I got up early and bathe in the pond; that was a religious exercise, and one of the best things I did.  They say that Characters were engraved on the bathing tub of King Tching-Thang to this effect:  "Renew thyself completely each day; do it again, and again, and forever again."  ~Thoreau

My daily sewing continues.  Just for the fun of it, I gave "The Five" crude little faces with pencil and tied a rag around their heads.  All of that will soon be covered with clay.  I was amazed at how different each one already looks.  I am thinking that it might be fun to give each one a name now, before going on.  Completing this many dolls will not be done quickly.  I am not fast!  I am working on the legs now, which will be sewn on when the doll is finished.  I love them already!

Thanks for stopping by!

Mary