Sun and blue sky over the field and the river calm. We head into the woods to see what is the news of spring: what new discovery of growth. I head down the rocky trail and my eye is caught by a pale blossom peeking up from the forest floor. So low to the ground - strange. I bend down, and here's another. So pretty, but I don't recognize them. I try to understand what they're growing from. It appears to be a vine, or maybe the thinnest branch of sapling? It isn't until I get home and begin searching online that it's suddenly plain as day to me: dogwood, of course. On a very young tree sprouting up close to the ground. Mystery solved.

They're not new today, but the violets proliferate. Bunches and cheerful bunches beaming up at me all along the trail. I could stay out all day in spring. But I have some preparation to do for my writing webinar that launches tonight, and in fact, it was a highlight of my writing day to welcome the writers and share their pictures and write from their pictures online. I sat in one of the quiet offices we have in our home. The writers joined me from their own desks, their own homes. We might as well have been in the same room. I love teaching what I love, and creative writing from personal photos is my passion. The two hours sped by as we entered the world of the photos each member brought. I felt tonight as I felt this morning in the woods: I could stay here all night in this room with these women writing their photos into poetry and prose, and being delighted, surprised and amazed at the process.

All photos and text ©Kelly DuMar 2018