Time Aprils On

Time was when she would walk beside us, but those days are gone.

Easter 2021 has left the building, not far behind the month of March.

We had an eventful and most enjoyable -- albeit low key exhausting -- holiday week.

Scenes like this were everywhere.

Dagny was on spring break from school. On Wednesday, Erica worked her last hours at the company where, for the last seven years, she has been obliged to show up at the office every weekday.

She will be working for them at home for a few months. Then I imagine some serious nesting will take place ahead of Cutie Peanut Porter's birth in late July.

We were hiding our shivers.

So it was that on Thursday, we girls sortied before noon. We were headed for the charming city of Rock Hill, South Carolina, ninety minutes' drive to our north, just a few miles from the Tar Heel State line.

Our destination was Glencairn Garden, an eleven-acre green space with swings and stairs and ponds and pastures and flowers and fountains and bridges and branches, and what seems like miles of placid walkways.

Spring's green is like no other green.

Rock Hill is several days behind Columbia in terms of what is blooming. I imagine it is due to its higher elevation.

Also it was cold. No; I mean it. It was cold. The actual temperature may have reached fifty degrees but the wind was bringing the feel-likes down into the high forties.

And then there are the pinks.

With the exception of Dagny, we had all underdressed. Erica miscalculated the most; I was only slightly uncomfortable (at least, at first), and Audrey didn't mention being too cold until the very end.

We underestimated the wind, which was extra bright.

The azaleas were putting on a riotous display.

But I will tell you about all of that.

Glencairn Garden occupies land donated by the Bigger family. It started as their backyard garden nearly a century ago.

Inside the gate were a pizza garden and a cereal box garden.

Speaking of gardens, there is a Victory Garden within Glencairn Garden. So charming.

During the world wars, citizens were encouraged to plant victory gardens to augment their rationed food supply.

They were huddled together for warmth.

The gardens were planted on both public and private land during those years, both in the United States and across the pond.

This one was enclosed within picket fencing. Lots of things were growing and it appeared to be well tended.

Swiss chard thriving in the Victory Garden.

Another thing that Glencairn Garden has a lot of is really nice, big, heavy, comfortable swings.

They were everywhere, and we had them all to ourselves.

Perhaps the bright wind kept most folks away.

Everywhere you looked there was something pretty, and well executed, and expertly maintained, and interesting, and fresh.

The tiered fountains were a favorite of mine. Like several sizes of bowls telescoping from largest to smallest, all spilling refreshing water that Dagny sampled with the fingers of one hand and declared to be not as cold as she had expected.

A healing sight and a happy sound.

I took her word for that.

On the ground near a small pond we saw a sign left to molder in some pine straw, dirty and forgotten, admonishing visitors to the garden to stay six feet apart.

It was the only sign of its kind that we saw all day.

We never had the faintest intention of doing anything other than that, even before the signs and decals began appearing a year ago.

And now every time I go out in public, I see masks discarded on the ground, on the floor in restaurants and stores, and even left behind in grocery carts.

God's creation formed exquisite arches overhead.

That's impossibly gross. Disposable masks are now presenting a significant environmental hazard to what people like to unctuously call the planet. 

It is estimated that more than one point five billion masks found their way into the world's oceans in 2020. That which is supposed to keep us from dying -- ever! of anything! -- is polluting the seas, causing the demise of marine life. 

They built a wall.

That's what you call ironic. The woke crowd like to bandy about words like responsible and sustainable. How is that remotely responsible or sustainable?

I don't mean to sound prissy or self-righteous but I have not contributed a single mask to the problem; cross my heart, hope to die. And when I throw something away, it's in a trash container. My parents taught me that.

Click to embiggen. You can save this for your desktop background if you want.

Those who can't take care of their own personal trash with their slobber all over it, and see that it's disposed of properly, should be ashamed of themselves because all the mask wearing in the world does not make it okay to be a nasty cretin.

In further developments that I find almost difficult to believe, Krispy Kreme is advertising a Sweet Initiative whereby anyone who can present proof that they have received the covid jab, gets a free donut.

Every day that remains in this calendar year.

Their flags are faded but still beautiful.

Now y'all, I am no mathematician but the days remaining in 2021 since the KK program began, are approximately two hundred seventy-five.

I ask you: Do you intend to consume nearly three hundred donuts before New Year's Eve 2021?

Click to embiggen. It was a runaway gorgeous day.

Because if you do, you need your noggin examined.

Oh, -- you may be thinking -- no one will go every day and get a free donut.

Tiered fountains were an oft-repeated theme.

Oh yes they will. Oh. Yes. They. Will. Are you kidding me right now? LOTS of someones will. Potentially millions will, and don't kid yourself that Krispy Kreme has not cynically totted up how many extra sales of donuts and overpriced drinks that will amount to.

Some will go to more than one Krispy Kreme per day and flash their vaccination creds and get more than one donut every twenty-four hours, potentially eating over five hundred donuts this year.

Click to embiggen. And if you like it, you may copy and use it for a desktop background.

Am I missing something? Besides a mask and the vaccine, I mean? Because after chronological age (which no one can do anything about), obesity is one of the top three risk factors for coronavirus.

So tell me: How does eating over two hundred donuts in a year do anything good for anyone's health, vaccinated, all masked up, or not? I'll wait.

Sit there and look cute, I said.

Not to virtue signal -- this is just the truth so don't be hatin' -- but in a banner year I may eat six donuts. However, I cannot recall the last time I ate half a dozen donuts in a year's time. I wish I could remember having done that.

The last time I had a donut (in fact I ate two because I truly love donuts) was on the day Dagny started first grade last August. I met Audrey and the wee bairn rascal after school at Krispy Kreme in West Columbia, for a celebratory snack.

She had started first grade that morning.

People, this country has become unmoored from reality. Do us a favor and use the intelligence God gave you and THINK for thirty seconds (or more, if you can stand it) about the madness of many of the foolish practices and points of view we have been all but forced to swallow and accept as fact.

Back to our time at Glencairn Garden. There was a darling life-sized bronze sculpture of three children joyously playing. Dagny joined in their forever fun.

The players.

We had warmed up by then; the sun was enthusiastic and after a time spent behind some scudding clouds, finally came out to stay.

We'd been walking and breathing fresh cool air for about an hour and a half when Dagny began wondering aloud when we were going to get something to eat.

Stairway to nowhere in particular except more beauty.

She'd worked up an appetite prancing and playing and posing.

The girls consulted their phones to see what was good and nearby. 

Tortuga! The little fellers jockeyed for position on the warmest rocks.

Meanwhile we happened upon multiple turtles sunning themselves on rocks at the edge of a pond resplendent with lily pads.

Back in Erica's toasty car, we navigated to our chosen lunch venue and enjoyed a delicious meal.

If you are ever in Rock Hill, don't miss Fountain Park.

Afterwards we wanted to tour Rock Hill's historic main street, so we tooled over in that direction, parked on the street, and began walking towards sunlight we saw up ahead, where the business district ended and gave way to more open spaces.

We were on the shadow side -- it was latish afternoon by then -- and the wind had kicked up even more, and added an icy note to its protracted and vigorous performance.

She has an enormous capacity to have a good time just hanging out with her peeps.

We soldiered on and came to Fountain Park, which is relatively new, having been built in 2014.

Speaking of performance, the fountain is spectacular and we enjoyed it for as long as we could before the ambient temperature drove us away. You should watch the live stream fountain cam for a few minutes, especially if you're stressed out.

Dagny was entranced by the slushy machines.

We walked back towards our vehicle on the sunny side of the street, and decided that it was time to go home before we froze in our places right there on the sidewalk.

En route to home we stopped at a QT and got snacks. No; not donuts. But I plead guilty to munching on a few Swedish Fish.

Bunnies and ceramic treats, plus cards from beloved friends.

Dagny got a slushy (she had cleaned her plate at lunch) and, overcome with joy at that development, proclaimed our Rock Hill adventure the best day ever!

I guess you know that I pretty much crashed when I got home. I had planned supper and it was already nearly cooked, but I wasn't hungry and would not eat again, and TG had made plans to do something with Chad.

Audrey and Dagny had brought Peter Rabbit Easter napkins.

Erica had planned her supper ahead of time too, and when Chad and TG got back to her house, she fed them both. I had the night off.

We ate our Thursday supper on Friday, as leftovers, but that was ideal because by then I was deeply into shopping and preparations for Easter dinner.

A blue-eyed flower-bedecked bunny in the two-tiered tray.

We would only be four at the table -- TG and me, plus Audrey and Dagny -- since Cherica were having Easter lunch with his parents. 

But I made a lot because we planned to have leftovers after Sunday night church, at their house.

I found this bookish angel bunny twenty years ago at the dollar store.

I got up early on Sunday to put the ham into the oven and get ready for church.

After church we girls posed and Dagny took our picture. She loves to take pictures of us and is very good about NOT cutting off our feet and putting fifteen hundred feet of empty sky above our heads, so that we look like we are falling out of the photo.

Audrey and Dagny's Rice Krispie Treat nests.

She carefully holds the phone and walks forward if necessary, and lines us up where we ought to be, and gets it right. Six-year-olds are capable of more than we may realize.

For lunch we had a large ham plus Pineapple Casserole, Slow Cooker Baked Potato Casserole, and Crock Pot Creamed Corn. My crock pot creamed corn recipe is slightly different from the one I linked to because in addition to the stated ingredients, it calls for a splash of milk. But it's all good. Very very good.

There was not a green vegetable in sight.

Also I leave out the sugar. Trust me: It is sweet enough without the sugar.

Audrey brought Hawaiian rolls and made Rice Krispie Treat nests for our dessert.

Dagny was ravenous and once again cleaned her plate.

After the kitchen was cleaned and everything put away and leftovers readied to take to Cherica's, it was nearly time to head out again.

I admit I was so tired by the time we got to our second Easter party of the day, I was yawning and longing for my bed.

Easter: Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

But we snacked and enjoyed one another's company and the memories are made, and we survived.

And now it's truly warm outside, and likely going to get warmer.

Thumbs up for all things Easter and all things spring.

Which is a blessing from God above. I'm fixing to take a walk before getting ready for prayer meeting.

I will wish you were beside me as I get some exercise in the sunshine.

And that is all for now.

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But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

I Corinthians 12:31

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Happy Wednesday

Comments

[Ginny Hartzler]

What a beautiful place to go with family and have fun among the beauty! I think your second pictureis my favorite. Your decorations and food are awesme! I especially like the rocker bunny.

[Mari-Nanci]

Too many gorgeous photos, to try to mention some, in particular.

That little girl is a very accomplished photographer, already! You said how she goes about it. And the result is wonderful. She is following in your footsteps, already.

And of course, I love, love, love your *words* on some of the stupidity, with which we are surrounded, at this point in time. Like m-a-s-k-s! ~palm forehead~

We were getting ice cream, standing in the out doors, at one of those summer time ice cream places, today. Not wearing masks! We were _outdoors_ for Pete's sakes! But all those other *Woke* and *Sanctimonious * ice cream getters, were. No! One older lady, was not!!!! I so wanted to congratulate here, but wasn't close enough, sitting in the car.

And all those little children, with their masks on... Out in the great out doors!!!!!! I think it is horrible!!!!!!

Enough. Lovely post, per usual.

Gentle hugs,
Mari-Nanci

[Mari]

That garden is so beautiful! Bon and I would love to wander through it. We've been having a lot of bright wind here lately too, but today it made it to 80 degrees! Cold is coming back tomorrow...
As you and I both know, common sense is no longer common. Social distancing, masks, free donuts, the whole woke crowd...It makes me crazy. I don't know how these people even talk themselves into all this stuff they push at us. The littering with the masks is seen around ere too and it's so 2 faced. These are the same people who are so worried about saving the planet. Now you got me going and I'm preaching to the choir here!
Looks like a nice Easter too. I ended up having to work, we're back to a shortage of nurses again. (In some ways due to the craziness of covid) Anyway, we had a quiet evening when I came home.

[Jennifer]

@Ginny ... thank you and the rocker bunny is my favorite too, of all my bunnies! I don't know where or when I got him but each year when I take him out of the box where he lives eleven months out of twelve, he makes me smile! xoxo

@Mari-Nanci ... Aaaaaaarrrggghhhhh ... MASKS in the outdoors ... do not get ME started! That is MADDENING! And on CHILDREN who NEED FRESH AIR! As Rand Paul said recently to Doctor Faux-chi: IT IS THEATER. Politically motivated, one hundred percent. I'm so glad you went out and enjoyed your ice cream without worrying about a stupid face diaper! xoxo

@Mari ... You and Bon would truly love Glencairn Garden and I wish that TG and I could walk it with you both! And you're right: Common sense is dead as a doornail. Folks have lost all sense of proportion and sanity. It's frustrating and so defeating. Two-faced is EXACTLY what libs are! Do as I say, but not as I do. I'm so sorry you had to work on Easter! I will drop by soon to catch up on your Easter week. xoxo

[Jane]

Glencairn Gardens is gorgeous.
I love your angel or fairy bunny.

[Jeanette]

Wow, that is a beautiful park. I'm going to have to keep it in mind as a place to be sure to stop at if/when we ever go visit my SIl in Mauldin, SC. I see masks laying on the ground all the time and it makes me so angry! To hear what they are doing to marine life is just horrifying! Luckily I don't really like donuts too much so it's not much of an incentive to get vaccinated to me! Dagney has no problem looking cute whether she's sitting, walking or posing! And she did a lovely job taking the picture of you and your daughters!

[Jennifer]

@Jane ... Isn't she the sweetest thing? I had a tea party for my Sunday School class (nine-year-olds -- to think they are all thirty years old now) and I had a variation of angel bunny at each of their places as a favor. They thought that was so neat and I think of their sweet faces every time I look at that bunny. Hope you had a pleasant Easter holiday! xoxo

@Jeanette ... Oh I hope you can visit Rock Hill when you make it down to see your sister-in-law! I believe that both you and your husband would really enjoy it. Mauldin is way over by Greenville but that is a pretty drive. Yes Dagny did a great job with the picture. She amazes me. She would rather take the picture than be in it! Precious baby. Happy spring to you! xoxo

[Mari]

I'm sensing a theme here. I forget things in my comments and have to come back!
1st - I enjoyed your witty title. I saw what you did there!
Also, Dagny is a great photographer! Taking after her talented Grandma!

[Carla TePaske]

Yes, my husband and I were just discussing the pollution that MASKS are causing. They are hanging in trees in our neck of the woods. We just had a terrible wind storm and masks are flying in the wind. They are everywhere around here too. And what you shared about the amount of them in the ocean makes me sick.

I love your Easter outfit, thank you for sharing. :-)
Happy Easter and continued prayers for our nation and her people.

[Jennifer]

@Mari ... I wondered if anyone got my title! Yay! Yes Dagny is miles ahead of me when I first started taking pictures. Isn't that amazing? She has a good eye. Maybe she will be artistic like your Alaina. And you come back as many times as you want! xoxo

@Carla ... The whole mask thing turns my stomach. I can't even ... but this pollution development is seriously SICK. I wonder when the libs will speak out about it? Oh wait. Probably never. Thank you for your kind words and yes! Praying. xoxo

[Gayla]

How wonderful! Your Easter sounds just perfect. I really loved all the pictures and descriptions of that walk in the park. I have only recently been learning about the mask disposal problem. Of course we would find a way to be irresponsible in any crisis! Yuck! I am kind of shocked about the doughnuts! I thought it was a one and done reward. Not a huge fan of doughnuts although I am sadly not a healthy eater... So much woe nonsense these days that seems surreal. Take care and enjoy yourself!

[Jennifer]

@Gayla ... I think you probably eat much more healthily than you give yourself credit for! And so do I. I LOVE donuts - literally fantasize about them -- but NOPE I am not going down that road more than once a year, and even then I am judicious. I enjoy the pictures on your blog too! Happy weekend! xoxo

[Barb]

Well, the wind has been bright here too, and I smile thinking of Dagny when I go out in the "fresh airs" for my walk. I picked up trash this week - there is so much litter since our snowbanks are melting. Yes, there are lots of paper masks but also beer cans, energy drink bottles, plastic water bottles, and snack wrappers. I filled my bag quickly and had to head back lugging it because it was so heavy. The tourists come to see our beautiful mountain environment but have no qualms about dirtying it. Who raised these people? Dagny took a beautiful photo of you, Erica, and Audrey. I started Ben on my DSLR because he showed interest at age 5. Now, he's an accomplished photographer. You look beautiful in shades of red! I collect bunnies and keep them out year round. I love your angel bunny. This is another lovely garden to explore. I had to laugh at your description of the "chilly" day - you wouldn't last an hour where I live! My favorite photo of the landscapes is of the turtles sunning. The emerging leaves on the trees are beautiful shades of green. I can't remember the last time I ate a donut, but I do know when free anything is involved people will overindulge. Enjoy your warm spring and smell the flowers for me.

[Jennifer]

@Barb ... I think putting a camera into a child's hand is one of the most productive things you can do for them. It can't go wrong! No, I wouldn't last in your neck of the woods unless I rarely had to go outside. I don't like the cold. I have lived many years of my life in the midwest and it's just not something I could do again! I am shocked that tourists to your beautiful state litter it so badly. I have never understood littering. I would have gotten a whipping as a child if I'd littered and my parents found out about it. It's just so indecent to be slovenly. GOOD for you, making the effort to clean things up. I would help you if I were there and could stand the cold, haaaha! xoxo