after many, many days of sodden woolen clouds and heavy fog, of rain that descended then hung there, suspended, for long, too long, the sun has burst out from behind the morning mountains and o! how i dream and dream of spring. cooped up inside this week for too many days, i walked under thick wet falling drops and gathered things that made me feel as if i were bringing the outside, in with me.
and while i waited for the skies to clear, the blue to show once again, i sat at my little table the color of birds' eggs and transferred into silver the simple thoughts that drift in and out of here, to there. birds are everywhere outside my wonderful windows, and the trees are so full of chattering finches that the branches seem as if they've broken into song; the trees are singing once again. 
life turns and dances around itself, picking me up and taking me with it; i don't know answers, i don't even know the questions; all i know for now is what i see outside my feathered windows, all i know to do is to turn my daydreams into ornaments that can be wrapped around one's wrist as testament to hope. it's as simple as this: come, sunshine; come, spring. xo
when my kids were small, we'd spend several weeks every summer at my parents' mountain cabin in virginia. we'd walk through the woods collecting treasures...turkey feathers, blackberries, pretty rocks...and one thing we'd bring back by the bagful were the grapevine tendrils..."piggy-tails" is what we called them. when i saw that picture, i shouted it out loud....and your finches! they must know who's there to visit! i'm with you, dearie...come, spring! xo
Posted by: Tina in McLeansville | March 17, 2009 at 12:28 PM
just stopping by to say hi!!! miss getting to see you!!!
Posted by: claudine hellmuth | March 17, 2009 at 12:30 PM
I have a picture that looks just like your tree, only no birds and taken slightly lower on the tree. I'll post it on my blog for you.
Lov ya,
Diana
Posted by: Diana | March 17, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Actually, my dear Nina, all you know to do is MAGIC and you have us SPELLBOUND.
And who wants to know all the answers anyway...mystery adds to the magic of every day :)
Posted by: Isabel | March 17, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Over here in the uk we have been blessed with glorious warm sunshine these last 4 days! The birds are becoming more vocal and daffodils are springing up everywhere! Spring is definitely HERE! xx
Posted by: Holly - UK | March 17, 2009 at 01:13 PM
"Come sunshine; come spring; " To which I agree and add this title of a favored jazz song " Comes Love (Nothing Can Be Done).
Little green shoots poking their heads up out here, too. Can
barely wait. ;))
Sending huge-o hug to you,
Sassi
Posted by: Shirley | March 17, 2009 at 02:34 PM
i am a winter girl myself, i love the starkness of the barren trees and how fresh and clean everything looks under a blanket of snow. reading your post made me realize that i am also ready for spring...
a little warmth and sunshine would be nice... just not the oppressive heat that i am used to here...
love and blessings
~*~
Posted by: Laura | March 17, 2009 at 02:35 PM
2more weeks....xo
Posted by: kim | March 17, 2009 at 06:39 PM
dreamy pictures... dreamy words.
xoxo
jul
Posted by: jul | March 17, 2009 at 08:06 PM
Love your blog Nina. Just got back from my daily walk on Deer Island here in Northern California. It's been a week of non-walking, so much has happened since then....spring has sprung, the grass is deep green and ankle high, trees are blooming, wild flowers bursting open, hawks and vultures cartwheeling through the air. Aaah, nature....what would we be without a breath of fresh, woodsy air?
Posted by: Virginia S. Magruder | March 17, 2009 at 08:44 PM
We have had optimal weather here in Colorado lately, although it does not look like spring. We could have snow again any day now. That is just how it is around here. Like you, I will not worry about the how, why and when, but just enjoy the moment. Seasons are such gifts. We yearn for each one as the turning point approaches. It never gets old!!!
Posted by: Emily | March 17, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Hi Nina, you were on my mind this weekend. I spent 4 days in Celo. I attended a birthday party at Penland. Even though I worked on jewelry all weekend...I did get a taste of the closed in feel that you speak of. I too found pocket travlers when I returned home to Charlotte. Mostly shards of mica, I just can't seem to pass it by. The song of the birds is always a bright spot on a cloudy day.
Posted by: Joy T. | March 17, 2009 at 11:26 PM
What beautiful and evocative photos. I love the bracelet pieces with your thoughts inscribed.
Posted by: Nelda Ream | March 18, 2009 at 07:07 AM
It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain
Happy Springtime Wishes from Muddy Maine!
:-) Ally
Posted by: Ally | March 19, 2009 at 08:55 AM
just getting ready to don winter coats, boots, turn on the heaters and fill hot water bottles. last week of summer, all hail autumn. BTW, bought a beautiful book today with you and several artists in it. refuse to look at it and am saving it for a quiet corner and cup of tea. all the collections i saw in their homes have inspired me and can't wait to get more creative in my own space so i can be constantly inspired. i love your photos when u r creating, all higgledy piggeldy. i know u cringe, but it looks like heaven to me. oh well time for me to put away my bikini and for you to get yours out. love as always.
Posted by: rachelle | March 19, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Such an inspiring collection of nature's objects. After a 32 degree day here in New York City...I am ready for Spring as well!
Posted by: Seth | March 23, 2009 at 08:57 PM