Tag: #spring

Nowruz—Spring’s Arrival ©Dawn Minott

On By Dawn MinottIn Poetry16 Comments

Beforeword: Nowruz is far more than just the start of a new year—it is an ancient celebration of life, rebirth, and the triumph of light over darkness. With roots extending back over 3,000 years, Nowruz heralds the arrival of spring and is celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox, usually March 20 or 21. Today, it unites diverse cultures across Iran, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Balkans, and beyond, offering a rich tapestry of customs, traditions, and shared values.

Nowruz arrives like a quiet dawn
Where renewal meets the familiar
Haft-Sin blooms with meaning
a ritual of hope and memory

Upon the table’s gleaming surface
A gathering of symbols—seven
A quiet conversation between past and future

Sabzeh, threads of green sprouting from soil
A promise of life unfolding
Of growth stitched into the fabric of spring

Samanu, thick and sweet
A labor of patience
The taste of fertility
Rich with the warmth of nurture

Senjed, dried fruit cradling affection
It’s scent a whisper of love’s endurance
Softness preserved through seasons

Serkeh, sharp and aged
Bitterness transformed into wisdom
The patience of time distilled

Seeb, red skin gleaming
Health’s crisp offering
Beauty held in the curve of light

Seer, garlic’s pungent strength
A guardian of well-being
Boldness etched into its roots

Somāq, crushed berries of crimson
The tang of sunrise
Spice woven into the essence of life

Seven signs, gathered with care
Each a fragment of completeness
A balance sought in tradition’s embrace

The Haft Sin table, or the table of seven things that start with the letter “s” is a central part of Nowruz and a family tradition.
2025 All Rights Reserved

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In creative solidarity, Dee

Hello Spring ©Dawn Minott

On By Dawn MinottIn Poetry16 Comments

As frost yields to the tender touch of spring
Each day, a subtle shift, a silent sigh
The air, once brittle, now blooms with life
And colors awaken from their slumber

Mornings paint a canvas of pastel hues
As dawn tiptoes upon the horizon’s edge
Birdsong, once muffled by winter’s shroud
Now orchestrates a symphony of renewal

The earth awakens, shedding its cloak
Revealing emerald patches beneath
Streams trickle with newfound fervor
And blossoms unfurl in eager embrace

In this tranquil haven, I witness
Nature’s metamorphosis, a timeless dance
As winter yields to the promise of spring
And life’s eternal cycle, once again, begins anew

2024 All Rights Reserved
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Like what you see? To never miss a post click HERE👈 to subscribe & follow the blog. There’s more HERE👈 and on Spillwords, the Writers Club & Facebook.

In creative solidarity, Dee

Flower of the Day Challenge #36: Alluring Azaleas

On By Dawn MinottIn Photo Reflection7 Comments
…she allured me with her beauty at the start of spring, now her blooms adorns the garden bed. See you next spring my vivacious beauty. 
2022 ©DeeMin All rights reserved
Thanks to Cee for hosting the Flower of the Day prompt.

Thank you for journeying along.

Like what you see? Read more here👈 Subscribe to the blog here👈 “Like” and comment👇I love hearing from you.

In creative solidarity, Dee

Flower of the Day Challenge #34: Perky Peony

On By Dawn MinottIn Photo Reflection, Poetry6 Comments
Hello gorgeous!!! 
2022 ©DeeMin All rights reserved
Thanks to Cee for hosting the Flower of the Day prompt.

Thank you for journeying along.

Like what you see? Read more here👈 Subscribe to the blog here👈 “Like” and comment👇I love hearing from you.

In creative solidarity, Dee

Flower of the Day Challenge #32: Showy Iris

On By Dawn MinottIn Photo Reflection, Poetry9 Comments
…my first iris!!!!! Isn’t she lovely?!
2022 ©DeeMin All rights reserved
Thanks to Cee for hosting the Flower of the Day prompt.

Thank you for journeying along.

Like what you see? Read more here👈 Subscribe to the blog here👈 “Like” and comment👇I love hearing from you.

In creative solidarity, Dee

Flower of the Day Challenge #30: Azalea’s First Bloom in ‘22

On By Dawn MinottIn Photo Reflection8 Comments
… the gorgeousness of blooming azalea shrubs is about to grace my garden as it springs back to life
… accompanied by the resilient Bugle
Thanks to Cee for hosting the Flower of the Day prompt.

Thank you for journeying along.

First time to the site? Welcome! You may start here👈 and for more follow the blog here👈

In creative solidarity, Dee

Flower of the Day Challenge #29: Spring Bloom & Blue Sky

On By Dawn MinottIn Photo Reflection2 Comments

Thanks to Cee for hosting the Flower of the Day prompt.

Thank you for journeying along.

First time to the site? Welcome! You may start here👈 and for more follow the blog here👈

In creative solidarity, Dee

Flower of the Day Challenge #26: Hyacinths

On By Dawn MinottIn Photo Reflection12 Comments
… from bud
… to flower
… enjoying my first ever hyacinths!!!!

Thanks to Cee for hosting the Flower of the Day prompt.

Thank you for journeying along.

First time to the site? Welcome! You may start here👈 and for more follow the blog here👈

In creative solidarity, Dee

Flower of the Day Challenge #24: Yellow Hibiscus Haiku

On By Dawn MinottIn Photo Reflection19 Comments

Yellow hibiscus

Sunlight like summer blazing

Golden petals glow

Thanks to Cee for hosting the Flower of the Day prompt.

Thank you for journeying along.

First time to the site? Welcome! You may start here👈 and for more follow the blog here👈

In creative solidarity, Dee

Spring Breakthrough©

On By Dawn MinottIn Poetry19 Comments

Said spring to the winter blues

It’s early release of my colorful blooms

I’ll wait no more for you to depart

I’m hastening in my season’s start

Said the winter blues to the spring flowers

Earth joined in with her healing powers

I tried, but failed, to keep you under

She opened her crevices, revealing your wonder

Said the people to winter and spring

Frolicking in snow or hearing birds sing

We love you both for many different reasons

Accepting the offerings of your differing seasons 

2022 ©DeeMin All rights reserved

After-word: Spring hasn’t officially started but don’t tell that to the flowers that line the walk path to my way home. Mother Nature is on her own timetable and I’m not at all complaining. Hope you enjoy these early blooms and poetic rendition.

Thank you for journeying along. First time to the site? Welcome! Feel free to “like” or drop a comment, I love hearing from you.

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In creative solidarity, Dee

Spring’s Dawning© | a Haiku

On By Dawn MinottIn Poetry5 Comments

Bulbs breaking through earth

Escape to surface, find light

Signal Spring’s dawning 

2022 ©DeeMin All rights reserved

I’ve long admired the beauty of flowers that bloom in early spring. I moved from admiration to action and planted tulips and hyacinths for the very first time!! And now the first signs of life have emerged from beneath the cold earth. In my excitement this Haiku was born. I just can’t wait to see them all in the glory of their full bloom 💐

Thank you for journeying along. First time to the site? Welcome! Feel free to “like” or drop a comment, I love hearing from you.

You may start here👈 and for more subscribe to the blog here👈

In creative solidarity, Dee

Sunday Photo Reflection #17: Remnants of the Garden

On By Dawn MinottIn Photo Reflection13 Comments
Reflecting on how wonderful it was to have a garden (my first). Thank you garden, you blessed me immensely this spring to summer and heading into autumn you’re still giving vibrant offerings.

And also for Cee’s Flower of the Day prompt (though there is more than one flower today).

Thank you for journeying along.

First time to the site? Welcome! You may start here👈 and for more follow the blog here👈

In creative solidarity, Dee

Sunday Photo Reflection #10: Of Deadhead & Re-bloom

On By Dawn MinottIn Photo Reflection12 Comments

I’d say I’m the “accidental gardner”.

I picked up gardening this summer when the lansdcaping company I hired was a no-show. We had laid out the plan but when spring ended and May rolled around and they were nowhere in sight I said to myself, “Self, you can do this”. I had no tools and I had no idea about flowers—I just knew what was aesthetically pleasing to me.

I researched nurseries. I researched flowers. The workers at the Home Depot and nurseries became my buddies—“What tools do I need for this and that?” “Which potting soil and fertilizer is best?” “Mulch?!” And pretty soon google was auto-directing my searches to all things “garden”.

But somehow “deadheading” didn’t come up till a kind blogger, Eliza Waters, in her comment on a post advised me to deadhead the tickseed to encourage rebloom. Back to google I went: “What is deadhead?” “How to deadhead …?”

I clipped with careful precision, following the google-advisors to a T. All the while praying I’m doing it right.

Over the weeks following I kept checking for signs of regrowth. And then one morning, after a night of summer showers, there they were—new buds!

The roses were about to re-bloom.

Suffice it to say, I was elated! With my trusty iPhone I began documenting what to me—the accidental gardener—is a feat.

Hope you enjoyed these happy garden vibes!!!

Thank you for journeying along.

First time to the site? Welcome! You may start here👈 and for more follow the blog here👈

In creative solidarity, Dee

Sunday Photo Reflection #4: Raindrops on Rhododendrons©

On By Dawn MinottIn Photo Reflection9 Comments
Photo provided by createdbyDEEsign

Raindrops cascading in ferocious quick succession

Drop after pounding drop beating mercilessly against your soft petals

Bobbing up and down you bounce back resiliently

Absorbing liquid nutrients all the while knowing they’ll make your petals shine brighter

Protecting a tiny ant snuggled up cozily in the depth of your embrace

You’re a wonder, rhododendron, hardy yet you flower in soft pink ruffled and showy blooms

Your spectacular clusters are deserving of this tribute ode to you

Photo provided by createdbyDEEsign

Thanks you for reading!

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In creative solidarity, Dee

Sunday Photo Reflection #3: Happy Garden Vibes

On By Dawn MinottIn Photo Reflection8 Comments

Last year, around this time, NY was the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. I ventured out the house for only the essentials and sadly, but smartly, that didn’t include gardening supplies or plants. So, the garden languished all year—doing its best to be splendiferous with the remnants of what survived from the year before and without my TLC.

This year, it’s been tilled and manured, mulched and watered. With a few new perennial additions and some fixtures of smiley frogs, and the like, the garden is coming back to vibrancy.

Rhododendrons, Cat Mint, Lilies, Roses, Hydrangeas, Meadow Sage all bursting in bloom and fragrance.

The Hydrangeas, Azaleas and Syringa won’t be outdone—they too are exploding in vibrancy of color and splendor of fragrance.

Spring feels more like summer which bids and welcomes me to enjoy the outdoors. An umbrella for a little shade, and the garden is the best place to repose.

Even the butterflies are returning.

The beauty of creation on a tiny-tiny-tiny plot on this vast-vast-vast eARTh. And, the garden is exhibiting all kinds of happy vibes again!

Thank you for reading!

First time to the site? Start here👈 and for more follow the blog here👈

In creative solidarity, Dee

Sunday Photo Reflection #2

On By Dawn MinottIn Photo Reflection2 Comments

Thanks to spring, the birds are back in their chirping splendor. There’s a special little cutie that’s been dropping by regularly. I love him (I assume he’s a “he”😀) because of his red feathers.

In enticing him to hang out with me, I thought I’d get him this birdy bird feeder.

Can’t wait for him to discover his gift and treat … sooooo excited!!!!

Thank you for reading!

First time to the site? Start here👈 and for more follow the blog here👈

In creative solidarity, Dee

Something About Spring

On By Dawn MinottIn Prose3 Comments

It’s in the melting of snow, the thawing of the earth …

… and rain-logged-swollen rivers cascading

It’s in colorful rainbows formed after rain suspends its falling …

… and in days growing longer, warming up in sunny splendor

It’s in the colorful array and fragrant smell of flowers blooming …

… and the new, bright, fresh green leaves on mighty trees and even tiny bushes

It’s in warmer climes bidding animals come out from hibernating …

… and the recall of migrating birds to fill the air with their melodic songs of chirping

I love everything about spring time …

… but most I love that it’s a season of rebirth, renewal and rejuvenation for the soul

Source unknown (all other photos taken by me)
©2021 createdbyDEEsign all rights reserved

Thank you for reading!

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In creative solidarity, Dee

Sunday Photo Reflection #1: Spring Blooms & River Flow

On By Dawn MinottIn Photo Reflection6 Comments
It rained all last night and most of today. At the first sign the rain was abating, me and my trusty iPhone headed down the stairs and across the street to the walk path and river to capture nature in her glow.
First I encountered the hydrangeas on the steps as I’m heading out, they’ve perked up to the thrill of spring showers …
…then the Tulips, this one awash with rain drops and hugged by Bleeding Hearts
Soon I got to one of my fav spots in the park—the Bronx River. Today it’s swollen, gushing noisily over this short fall
…I must sit for awhile and bask in the beauty surrounding me
Then it’s off for a stroll along the Bronx River Walk Path—it’s the epitome of serene, today enhanced by variance in the shades of spring-time green
…ending where I started, Bleeding Hearts & Tulips
©2021 createdbyDEEsign all rights reserved

Thank you for stopping by!

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In creative solidarity, Dee

Interior Decorating #2: Christmas Tree Makeover

On By Dawn MinottIn Interior Design & DecorLeave a comment

I love decorating, period! It’s one other medium of my creative self-expression.

I especially love decorating for Christmas; and, my number one most favorite part is decking the Christmas tree. I love it so much the tree often stays up way past the “acceptable” time.

Christmas Tree

Only this year I thought: why not keep the tree up and extend my decorating joy all year long. And voila! So was born the valentine-tree© followed by the spring-tree©.

Valentine-tree

Lord knows we need to create joy in all the ways we can to counter the negativity of this pandemic.

Spring-tree

Decked with paper flowers, butterflies, dragonflies and Easter eggs, the tree was transformed into a wonderful world of spring indoors. It’s a welcoming place to sit and enjoy a cup of tea or to read.

Thank you for reading! Follow the blog here👈 for more.

In creative solidarity, Dee