Kites and Hyacinths

~ rabbitpatchdiary.com

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Against all odds, the mild spring- like weather does linger.  I do not believe there is a  daffodil left, that did not take advantage of the conditions . . . for they are blooming in great numbers.  The road that passes by the quiet pastures and fields, through woodlands and to the rabbit patch, is lined with the bright blossoms.  They bloom in little clumps, along the edges of the field and by long forgotten homesteads, where fences used to be. 

The “Bradford pears” are stunning just now.  They are like great billowy clouds of silvery, white flowers and at every turn, I see one, as the trees are quite popular, here.  Of course, my peach trees are not to be outdone, and so they too are blooming.  Though, I am still not convinced by the flora of the countryside, that winter is all but over, there is more evidence . . . a pair of wrens have built a nest by Jennys’ mailbox.  I saw it this past and fair, Sunday morning, as we all had coffee on the porch.  Birds are seldom wrong about anything.

My chickens were never wrong about weather.  I knew to get the laundry off of the line,if the chickens went in during the day, for rain was coming.  They did not mind a fleeting sprinkle, and would continue foraging for the few minutes of a light shower.  They knew the difference and acted accordingly.  . . .and so I did too.

Today is the first day of March.  A light rain is falling and is supposed to fall all day.  March is full of plans, for our family.  Daddy and Christian have birthdays-and any family with just a “drop of Irish blood”  claims it proudly this month.  Last year, Will and Jenny hosted the affair.  We cooked and decorated all day.  Lyla wore a green fairy-like  dress and carried a wand with her the whole day.  We had corned beef and rye bread-potatoes and cabbage. Mandy, who owns “Pansy & Ivy”  brought “Bells of Ireland” for our centerpiece and a shamrock plant in the living room , got all sorts of attention.  Jenny had rescued the plant from a clearance rack in the garden center and it has thrived ever since.  

March is also the time to fly kites.  Daddy  made all of our kites out of scraps of plastic and little shards of wood.  Mama always had little pieces of fabric, and twine bought for her string beans to “run on”.  Somehow,  Daddy made kites that flew above the fields til we had trouble seeing them.  The kites climbed with force so mighty, that children were likely to tumble forward and drop the twine altogether.  When my own children were little, I was determined they too would have memories of flying kites in March.  I bought kites, as I have never had any success using tools.  On the first windy day, I made quite a ceremony and had the children seated to watch the aerial   art of kite flying.  I couldn’t get the the thing up for “love nor money”.  The kite would rise just above us and then turn and dive with good speed.  After a few awful attempts, the children would try to help and it seemed the kite would target one of them to dive upon.  . . and every one got a turn.  They were squealing  and dashing about in sheer fright.  There was no chance of our kite ever getting caught in a tree.  It was the same, every year.  I tried on days when the wind gusts were friendly-and on days when the velocity of the wind was enough to destroy a perfectly good umbrella.   The children stood a ways off  and were on alert, in case they needed to seek shelter.   I have never yet flown a kite.

I was much more suited for hiking and so we often did.  When Brant was around nine, we packed a picnic basket and set off for a short trek through the woods, to a very large field surrounded by more woods.  It was a favorite place of ours .  Sometimes, Grandmama went with us.  I remember her climbing a barbed wire fence at the age of seventy five, in those woods . . . and that takes skill.  Sometimes we packed up books and read for hours, but one day in March, in that field . . . we found a kite.  There was enough string to fly it, but this time, Brant tried his hand at it.  In no time the bright, white kite was rising in to a very blue sky.  We watched the kite for a good while . . .and no one was injured.  I always remember that favorite and long ago day-  when it is March.  . .and hyacinths are blooming.

“If thou of fortune be bereft, and in thy store, be but left . . 

two loaves  . . .sell one, and with the dole . .  .

buy hyacinths, to feed the soul.”             – John Greenleaf Whittier

 

30 thoughts on “Kites and Hyacinths”

  2. I’ve never grown hyacinths but they are lovely in the stores. Even Walmart has them ,but kinda worn out looking and kites…not my cup of tea either. Oh I love seeing them but me too…can’t get the darn things in the flight pattern. We have rain and a cool off .. so my tinkering in the hoop and yard has cooled of too. It will come back.Mojo …does that. My #1 son is coming for breakfast in the morning and then I’ll head to town. Mother needs something every single week. Habits are hard to break at 95. I can suggest something and the answer will be..” Oh I have enough for this week.”
    Yes…Spring is in the air but……we will see.

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    1. Michele, Loved your blog as usual. You were always (and still are) the most inspiring mom. I love hearing about your childhood memories. ❤ My Mom, Dad and I want to come see all of you soon. Give my love to your parents and "kids." I remember joining you on a walk or two in those woods and watching our children ramble all around. Sweet days….. ❤

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  3. Michele, I’m glad you spring-like weather lingers. A snow/rain storm is coming our way in CA. 30,000 people in some cities between LA and San Francisco got mandatory evacuation order. It looks you your March will be busy and happy. I remember making a big rainbow on my classroom bulletin with a pot of gold. Flying kites sound like a lot of fun. Enjoy your month ahead!

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  4. I always have a little pot of hyacinths in my kitchen this time of the year,their scent sprinkles happiness….androgen I plant the bulbs outside so to greet them in the garden the following year…..I just wondering if this year will be back or they are too afraid of the weather.
    Thank you for an other beautiful story Michelle.❤️

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  6. Sigh. How wonderful. I pretend to be Irish in March. We’ve done Green Eggs and Ham for years and Irish soda bread. I love the idea of buying a clover plant! I just teared up at the beauty of your dad and mom building kites with you. How lovely! I chuckled about the kite flying, I’m not that good at it either, I hear you! The John Greenleaf Whitter poem is just lovely. I have a new to me book of poems winging its way to me in the post but it’s Yeats. I can’t wait to soak it in! I’ve been meaning to ask, how is your house showing? going? Maybe I missed an update? Bless your day, Michele. Hugs. Amy

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    1. thank you Amy- I love Yeats especially “The Song of Wandering Aegnus”! I took the house of the market during the holidays. It will be listed again this month. Please pray!! We still laugh remembering me and kites~ love Michele

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  7. I always keep many kites on hand, upstairs in the “game room”, which is also the “decorations closet”. I grab any opportunity when kids are here to take them out on one of those perfect spring days. One day, when Kerry was perhaps fifteen, she had a couple of friends over. Shy and refusing at first- (one could break a fingernail), it took only minutes before the ever-sensitive teenagers were running with glee and squealing with delight. There is no age limit on kites.
    One year, a runaway got its string stuck in a tree just a quarter mile off. We watched all afternoon as it “flew solo”. When I arose the next day, it was still flying!
    I did a sketch for a painting, a concept. It was titled “Kite Flying Day”.
    Herein you see several children, a ways off, gleefully flying kites.
    In the foregorund, an apple tree, festooned with kite string. Bits of broken kites lay on the lawn. At the base of the tree stands a three-year-old, all tangled and in tears.
    Crouched, wrapped in strings, gathering pieces, consoling the child, stoops a weary grandfather.

    Everybody’s Irish on St.Patrick’s Day!

    Paz

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    1. even your comments are a pleasure to read. It is as if we were talking face to face-like old friends. It does not surprise me that you have flown kites-successfully. I hesitate to even hold the string of a kite after my failed attempts-but like cookies, maybe just need more practice. I would love to see your painting and March is a fine time to show case it- thank you so much-I value your thoughts- michele

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  8. Aren’t hyacinths heavenly! The large-flowered ones, the grape variety – plus snowdrops, crocus and daffodils – all are so cheering and heartwarming after a long winter. So glad you’re already enjoying them. We’re further behind up here, but it’s something so nice to look forward to!

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  9. I loved your kite stories. I’m giggling, thinking of your children running for cover. I was never good with flying kites. Thanks for the advance warning. I’ve got to find my Irish soda bread recipe.

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  11. I wished I could share some Spring with you!! Would love to see the trees and flowers blooming. Our wheat fields are starting to turn green, so know that Spring will soon be here too. I laughed at your kite flying (or should I say lack of) ability. A diving kite certainly can send one running!!

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  12. A written ‘glimpse’ into your life is better than any tonic supplied by a doctor. Each post fills me with love, joy, hope, and wishes, and more. No tablet nor medicine from a doctor couldn’t do any of those things, and it’s because of this I think your blog posts ought to be on the list of approved ‘stuffs’ which are prescribed by doctors for a variety of ailments.

    Dearest Rabbit, you’re a work of art to be both cherished and shared. I love you to pieces and love the way each of your blog posts leaves me feeling, as I reach the final words.

    May God bless and keep you safe, my beautiful friend. For my life would have such a gaping rabbit shaped hole in it if you weren’t in it.
    Sending much love … and of course a bucket of squidges too! ~ Cobs. xxx ❤

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    1. Yo are one of the most encouraging and loving people I know. You never fail to fill my heart. Today, you were my :Joy that comes in the morning.” I sure hope you are feeling better. I remember you in my prayers. thank you precious one! love your rabbit

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