April showers bring mayflowers, or so I’ve heard all my life. In The Art of Love at Blackwater Pond, Sarah wonders about the name Mayflower. Like Sarah, most of us probably jump to the Pilgrim ship as Sarah does and never stop to think about its name origin. A little research indicates that the ship was named for and English plant that was called mayflower, but is now known as lily of the valley.

When my mother cleaned house, everyone cleaned house. With four children, my mother cleaned something everyday, of course, but spring cleaning was a ritual both exhausting and exhilarating.

A few weeks ago in the midst of decluttering, I began thinking about time. I wondered how much of my life I have spent trying to getting rid of possessions I no longer need.

It’s February, which means Valentine’s Day with all its hearts and cupids and pressure to find our happily ever after. If we believe the average romance novel, we need to find The One while we’re in our early twenties!

I spent my childhood in Georgia. It’s fair to say I have a southern accent. To the point where my East Tennessee relatives would laugh at my pronunciation of certain words.

Traditions are important in creating a sense of family, no matter the makeup of the group. Whether passed down from previous generations or newly begun, traditions provide us with a sense of belonging and security.

I don’t remember the circumstances under which I first met Mary Oliver on the page, but I remember the poem: “The Journey”. The truth she spoke resonated with me, buried itself in my heart and became a part of me.