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Margaret O'Brien's avatar

This sentence Michela 💚 ‘The night’s chill bides in the morning's frost, bright blinding sun falls on ice-fattened tissue.’

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Michela Griffith's avatar

Thank you Margaret. It’s a tough spell for bulbs and buds.

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Dave Mead's avatar

Wonderful as always Michela, just what I needed to get me through the day. We often get a middle of the day slow down in the lambing fields and it’s so tempting to nod off after lunch that something of real interest is needed to keep me going. It’s a fine line though because my brain can’t cope with anything too complex in its sleep deprived state. Big Lonely Doug was the answer today so thank you for that. I love tracking the sun going down behind the hills on the other side of our valley, its range is phenomenal, from immediately opposite our house in mid winter to right at the very northern end of the dale in mid summer. I have always been slightly embarrassed that I didn’t notice it did that until we moved here when I was in my thirties.

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Michela Griffith's avatar

Thank you Dave. I hope lambing is going well and not too fraught; nice of the ewes to consider allowing you a brief siesta! I’m not sure I appreciated the range until I came here. It helps to be in a valley aligned north-south, with a view of the high ground to the west.

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Dave Mead's avatar

Lambing is going well, thanks Michela, it’s hard work but the weather is helping so much.

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Michela Griffith's avatar

Just starting to see lambs in the fields here, which is always good for the soul.

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Maïlys Ray's avatar

Listening to your words is always so soothing. My favorite photograph is the first one from Wednesday, but there’s something almost magnetic in the watery one in the third day.

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Michela Griffith's avatar

That’s very kind of you Mailys, thank you. Yes, I love the way that grasses are anything but ordinary when you look closely, and I will always look at and into water, just in case!

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Sarah Moorcroft's avatar

Lovely as always, thank you Michela, a blissful peaceful read. And for the introduction to Helen’s work too, that resonated very deeply.

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Michela Griffith's avatar

Thanks Sarah. It’s always a delight to see a familiar name appear on Substack. This is such a rich play for writing of all forms.

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Ling Warlow's avatar

A beautiful letter Michela, I felt I was there walking with you. Thank you 🙏

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Michela Griffith's avatar

You’re welcome Ling. I’m glad you enjoyed it; it’s always good to have your company.

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Laura Davis's avatar

Thanks for the respite. I really enjoyed the psychic break from well...everything.

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Michela Griffith's avatar

That’s so good to hear Laura, thank you.

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Jan Elisabeth's avatar

Gorgeous -- those frosted snowdrops!

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Michela Griffith's avatar

Thanks Jan. It’s been a good year, with 6 weeks of flowering. In the garden they have ‘gone over’ but there are some on the edge of an old pasture that are later. And I liked they way they had gracefully laid down.

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Ralph Turner's avatar

"We briefly dreamed of Summer, before Spring borrowed Winter’s teeth." - what a wonderful sentence..

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Michela Griffith's avatar

Thanks very much Ralph. They have been sharp teeth too, and I feel for my poor crocuses and daffodils as they curtsy overnight and try to resume their previous poise the next day.

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Leslie Rasmussen's avatar

I love this magic with water in all of its slippery forms. And thank you for reminding me of the equinox!

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Michela Griffith's avatar

Thanks Leslie! I have to admit that equilux was new to me, a discovery made on checking which day was the equinox (I didn’t want to miss it). The two together feel like they create a nice little window in the year.

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Donn Dobkin's avatar

Perhaps not what you thought to write, but it's wonderfully soulful.

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Michela Griffith's avatar

Thank you Donn. I’m fine with letting things evolve.

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christina moore's avatar

“We briefly dreamed of Summer, before Spring borrowed Winter’s teeth.” What a gorgeous sentence! Wow. 🥰 Your photos are awe-inspiring as well (as usual).

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Michela Griffith's avatar

Thanks so much Christina! I’m happy that you enjoyed this.

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