An early Spring in Virginia

Many of our flowers and tree blossoms have been frozen and heated and frozen again for weeks here in Virginia this early spring.

I'm hoping my pink and white Dogwoods will have some bloom in the end.  If any of you have read my book The Hart of Telendaria you'll know I'm especially fond of them and the Wisteria around the property.

I suppose there is some metaphor in this; perhaps we are too eager for things and we need to take a pause now and again to make sure it's the right timing of a matter.

I am hopeful for Easter this year, perhaps because of the back and forth with the weather.  Somehow Easter for me is the beginning of spring and the renewal of all things.

Happy Spring  ;)

Re-blog St. Patrick A Pirates Tale

Source

Not many people realize St. Patrick wasn't born in Ireland, in fact he was born in Britain.  Some say he was born into a privileged family with his father being a deacon and minor local official.

It was at the age of 16 Pirates kidnapped him for a ransom and carried him away by ship to Ireland.

He spent six years working as a herdsman and depended upon his faith to see him through; apparently his father didn't pay a ransom for his son.

One night he had a dream which told him a ship was ready to return him to his family.  He escaped his master and found passage to Britain.

He nearly starved and had a second brief captivity before he was reunited with his family.

In the Confessio, his spiritual autobiography he tells of another dream where he's given a letter headed "The Voice of the Irish."  As he read it he seemed to hear a certain company of Irish beseeching him to walk once more among them.

He had doubts of his calling, but in the end did return to Ireland with confidence in the Lord to see him through.

After many years of service, Saint Patrick died in Ireland having fulfilled his calling.

For more amazing facts about Saint Patrick, his faith and his love for the Irish people, check out Encyclopedia Britannica which was the source for most of my information; also My Holiday Ireland St Patrick's Day