nature

Spring by Celia Laighton Thaxter

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Spring

Celia Laighton Thaxter

The alder by the river
 Shakes out her powdery curls;
The willow buds in silver
 For little boys and girls.

The little birds fly over
 And oh, how sweet they sing!
To tell the happy children
 That once again ’tis spring.

The gay green grass comes creeping
 So soft beneath their feet;
The frogs begin to ripple
 A music clear and sweet.

And buttercups are coming,
 And scarlet columbine,
And in the sunny meadows
 The dandelions shine.

And just as many daisies
 As their soft hands can hold
The little ones may gather,
 All fair in white and gold.

Here blows the warm red clover,
 There peeps the violet blue;
O happy little children!
 God made them all for you.

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Always Mine ~ A Poem by Emily Dickinson

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Always Mind

Emily Dickinson

Always Mine!
No more Vacation!
Term of Light this Day begun!
Failless as the fair rotation
Of the Seasons and the Sun.

Old the Grace, but new the Subjects —
Old, indeed, the East,
Yet upon His Purple Programme
Every Dawn, is first.

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Bonus Post: 🌿 Mint Condition: How to Clone Your Plant Without a Science Degree

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Hi friends. It’s garden time in Texas. My mint plants are strutting their stuff. I’ve got bare spots from the summer’s heat in my yard. Why not let mint take over. It spreads quickly, it takes hardly any care, and you can use it to freshen up a glass of water, hot or cold tea, or add to a meal. It’s as versatile as a
yoga instructor with a side hustle. So, If you\ ever wanted to multiply your mint without multiplying your gardening budget? Grab some scissors, a glass of water, and a little patience—this is botanical mischief at its finest.

🌿 How to Grow New Mint Plants from Cuttings (A.K.A. Mint Multiplication Magic)

✂️ Step 1: Snip the Right Cutting

• Use clean, sharp scissors or garden snips.

• Cut a healthy stem about 4–6 inches long, ideally from the top of the plant.

• Remove the lower leaves, leaving the top 2–4 leaf sets intact.

Pro tip: Choose non-flowering stems if possible—they root better.

💧 Step 2: Water World

• Place the mint cutting in a glass of water, making sure no leaves are submerged (they’ll rot).

• Set the glass in a bright spot, like a sunny windowsill, but avoid direct blazing sun.

Refresh the water every 2–3 days to keep things clean and oxygenated.

🌱 Step 3: Wait for Roots to Party

• In 5 to 10 days, you’ll see white roots starting to grow. Once the roots are about 1–2 inches long, your mint baby is ready to move out.

Pro tip: If you’re seeing fuzzy white stuff, that’s root action—not mold. You’re doing great.

🌿 Step 4: Plant Time!

• Gently transplant your rooted mint into moist, well-draining soil—either in the ground or a container.

• Keep the soil damp for the first week while it settles into its new home.

Important note: Mint is a garden escape artist. It spreads fast and wide, so if you don’t want it taking over your entire yard, consider planting it in a container or using a root barrier.

☀️ Bonus Green Thumb Tips:

• Mint thrives in partial sun to full sun.

• Pinch off the tops to encourage bushier growth.

• Harvest often—it actually grows better with regular trimming.

So yes, take those cuttings, give them a spa day in a water glass, and then set them free in a new garden patch. Soon you’ll have mint for tea, mojitos, salads, and the occasional garden bragging rights. 😎🌿

City Trees ~ A Poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay

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City Trees

Edna St. Vincent Millay

The trees along this city street,
Save for the traffic and the trains,
Would make a sound as thin and sweet
As trees in country lanes.

And people standing in their shade
Out of a shower, undoubtedly
Would hear such music as is made
Upon a country tree.

Oh, little leaves that are so dumb
Against the shrieking city air,
I watch you when the wind has come,–
I know what sound is there.

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Summer Stillness ~ A Poem by Aldous Huxley

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Summer Stillness

Aldous Huxley

The stars are golden instants in the deep
    Flawless expanse of night: the moon is set:
    The river sleeps, entranced, a smooth cool sleep
    Seeming so motionless that I forget
    The hollow booming bridges, where it slides,
    Dark with the sad looks that it bears along,
    Towards a sea whose unreturning tides
    Ravish the sighted ships and the sailors’ song.

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Brimming Water ~ A Poem by Du Fu

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Brimming Water

Du Fu

Under my feet the moon
Glides along the river.
Near midnight, a gusty lantern
Shines in the heart of night.
Along the sandbars flocks
Of white egrets roost,
Each one clenched like a fist.
In the wake of my barge
The fish leap, cut the water,
And dive and splash.

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Daffodils ~ A Poem by William Wordsworth

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Daffodils

William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Outdid the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed-and gazed-but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

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You’ve Got the Life Force

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South Texas is a bit different than northern tier states when it comes to tree leaves. The predominate leafy tree in my area is the live oak tree. This is the time of year the live oaks start shedding their leaves. Not far behind the falling leaves are new leaves getting ready to take their turn. I like the quick turnaround of leaves falling and leaves growing. It symbolizes a core belief of mine, life wins, life always wins. The life force in my life oak is the same life force in you and me. It tells me that in your case and in mine, life will win again, no fear, no doubt.

Seeking Joy ~ A Poem by William H. Davies

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Seeking Joy

William H. Davies

Joy, how I sought thee!
Silver I spent and gold,
On the pleasures of this world,
  In splendid garments clad;
The wine I drank was sweet,
Rich morsels I did eat—
  Oh, but my life was sad!
Joy, how I sought thee!

Joy, I have found thee!
Far from the halls of Mirth,
Back to the soft green earth,
  Where people are not many;
I find thee, Joy, in hours
With clouds, and birds, and flowers—
  Thou dost not charge one penny.
Joy, I have found thee!

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Marvel At What’s Always Been There

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“Stuff your eyes with wonder, he said, live as if you’d drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It’s more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories.” ~ Ray Bradbury

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