Beautiful stroll, and really a model for how I'd like our little yard to be. And a walk in nature in winter is really enlightening. There's so much life, even though we associate the season with being dead or dormant.
December was good, but I didn't get after the migrating ducks like I normally do. I've been doing a lot of yard birding, hoping for a good mix of winter finches. So far only the regulars, but there's nothing wrong with that!
No I agree. I sometimes find myself thinking ‘oh it’s only a blue tit’ or ‘it’s only a sparrow’ and looking out for the more unusual species. But then I remember to appreciate these regulars for their awesomeness too!
I’m thinking of writing a post about ‘why my garden is so good for wildlife’ Is this something you would appreciate do you think?
Thank you for this walk. I felt like you very much enjoyed writing it. We were gone for 10 days and now have to woo the birds back to our feeder and water bath.
With the days being shorter, these sort of moments are even more precious.
For the past week we've had snow - which has not been a common sight in the past years - and it made everything even more static than before. There's a stillness in winter that makes creatures shine. It feels like every time a flock of sparrows swoops over, they're the stars of the show.
I adored coming on this winter walk with you 😊 It has helped me appreciate that even though my garden seems quite bleak at the moment (Holly digging holes in the lawn does not help with that…), there is still lots of life just waiting for spring. And I think your barrel pond is beautiful even if it has limited pond life! X
Such a beautiful, gentle journey Melissa ❤️ It's wonderful to be immersed in all the little lives and hopes of the returning spring in your garden 🌱 I was only wondering the other day what you'd been up to as I hadn't seen you around here, so it's lovely to see you back ❤️
Thanks so much for the direct message you sent earlier too (I can't reply as I haven't verified my age 😅) - I feel so honoured to be on your reading list 🥰
Thank you Poppy. I've been struggling to keep up with the level of work involved to keep up my posting schedule from last year. So I'm hoping this new format will be the answer. I'm so glad you enjoyed it! 💚
I had the age verification issue too. Then the next time I logged in I had access. I wonder if it's because I've done paid subscriptions on here in the past or something...
It's definitely much better to only write here as and when you're able, as you can so easily get burnt out if there's too much of a commitment. There's so much more enjoyment to be found from a less pressured, gentler approach, and if you're finding it less stressful to put together posts, it'll be reflected in your writing, so will create even lovelier pieces for us to read ❤️
I posted lots when I first joined here back in summer, but quickly realised it was far too much, so I'm aiming to post only once a month, or if I feel inspired by a particular experience. It's definitely taken so much pressure away, and given space to really think about the content I want to put together here, and let ideas develop more naturally ☺️
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I really appreciate your kind words. Nature is such a great teacher - and the last year of really observing and writing about it has brought me to a different place this winter. I’m making a conscious effort to embrace the stillness and rest more - not an easy task!!
Beautiful stroll, and really a model for how I'd like our little yard to be. And a walk in nature in winter is really enlightening. There's so much life, even though we associate the season with being dead or dormant.
December was good, but I didn't get after the migrating ducks like I normally do. I've been doing a lot of yard birding, hoping for a good mix of winter finches. So far only the regulars, but there's nothing wrong with that!
No I agree. I sometimes find myself thinking ‘oh it’s only a blue tit’ or ‘it’s only a sparrow’ and looking out for the more unusual species. But then I remember to appreciate these regulars for their awesomeness too!
I’m thinking of writing a post about ‘why my garden is so good for wildlife’ Is this something you would appreciate do you think?
Absolutely! I've only done two native garden posts so far, but they've done well and got me some subscribers from the gardening corner of Substack.
Excellent. Sounds good. I’ll get working on that!
This was a joy to read, so gentle, so vivid. I could feel myself in your garden and just how precious a space it is for you.
Thank you Marie 💚🙏
Thank you for this walk. I felt like you very much enjoyed writing it. We were gone for 10 days and now have to woo the birds back to our feeder and water bath.
Thank you! I really did enjoy writing it - I’m so glad that came through. Have you managed to woo the birds back yet?
I have the same thing in my garden. The moment I stop putting out sunflower seeds there isn’t a goldfinch to be seen! 😆
Beautifully observed and expressed, Melissa. There is so much to notice in the winter if we keep our senses open 💚
Thank you Caroline 🙏💚
What a beautiful and gentle read!
With the days being shorter, these sort of moments are even more precious.
For the past week we've had snow - which has not been a common sight in the past years - and it made everything even more static than before. There's a stillness in winter that makes creatures shine. It feels like every time a flock of sparrows swoops over, they're the stars of the show.
Thank you Leonard, I love the way you describe how winter makes creatures shine. That’s so true 😊🌿
This is so lovely to read. I’m in Canada, and we have so much snow! Will be months till we see anything green.
Thank you Holly - I hope you can experience the greenery vicariously through me! February and March will be beautiful. 💚🌿
I adored coming on this winter walk with you 😊 It has helped me appreciate that even though my garden seems quite bleak at the moment (Holly digging holes in the lawn does not help with that…), there is still lots of life just waiting for spring. And I think your barrel pond is beautiful even if it has limited pond life! X
Aww thank you so much! I love it too. I go there and check it every day in the hope of seeing something x 💚🌿
Thanks for the dose of quiet and little private realities. . .
Thank you Penney, you are so welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it 💚
I felt like I was there with you, experiencing it all through my own senses. What a wonderful read!
Such a beautiful, gentle journey Melissa ❤️ It's wonderful to be immersed in all the little lives and hopes of the returning spring in your garden 🌱 I was only wondering the other day what you'd been up to as I hadn't seen you around here, so it's lovely to see you back ❤️
Thanks so much for the direct message you sent earlier too (I can't reply as I haven't verified my age 😅) - I feel so honoured to be on your reading list 🥰
Thank you Poppy. I've been struggling to keep up with the level of work involved to keep up my posting schedule from last year. So I'm hoping this new format will be the answer. I'm so glad you enjoyed it! 💚
I had the age verification issue too. Then the next time I logged in I had access. I wonder if it's because I've done paid subscriptions on here in the past or something...
It's definitely much better to only write here as and when you're able, as you can so easily get burnt out if there's too much of a commitment. There's so much more enjoyment to be found from a less pressured, gentler approach, and if you're finding it less stressful to put together posts, it'll be reflected in your writing, so will create even lovelier pieces for us to read ❤️
I posted lots when I first joined here back in summer, but quickly realised it was far too much, so I'm aiming to post only once a month, or if I feel inspired by a particular experience. It's definitely taken so much pressure away, and given space to really think about the content I want to put together here, and let ideas develop more naturally ☺️
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I really appreciate your kind words. Nature is such a great teacher - and the last year of really observing and writing about it has brought me to a different place this winter. I’m making a conscious effort to embrace the stillness and rest more - not an easy task!!