Coffee Clutch with Dutch Henry: "Songs and Flowers of a Spring Morning"

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

"Songs and Flowers of a Spring Morning"

Howdy Folks,

Not so many days ago we were wondering if Spring would ever arrive, weren't we? I'm happy to report it has. At least here in Appomattox VA we are enjoying the bird songs, flowers and budding trees that make Spring mornings splendid.

A pleasant gray sky held the bird song low and somehow added ringing vibrancy to each note. And by golly there was a symphony this morning. Two Cardinals greeted Saturday and me as we strode to the barn. Kessy's sweet nicker even seemed to acknowledge the floating notes.

Chores done I settled into my Coffee Clutch chair, Tigger in my lap. Saturday, Zoe and Miss Kitty by my side, Kessy munched her hay, I poured a cup of coffee and took in the show. The Cardinals were still the main attraction, but they had plenty of backup singers. In the brush by the barn a Carolina Wren belted out his frantic chatter. Higher in the trees a Bluebird added his beautiful song. In the distance an Indigo Bunting offered his tune of sliding scales. A Titmouse called, "Peter, Peter, Peter." A red Eyed Vireo declared, "Here I am … Where are you?" … The breath taking moment came when a lone Wood Thrush sang one verse of his most splendid flute solo ... I did notice this morning the Juncos are nearly gone.

The Bloodroot along the fence line is nearly finished blooming, but the Bluettes and Spring Beauties are in full glory. Our Dogwoods, Fringe trees and Red Buds are simply bursting with flowers ... I'm getting anxious for our Spring Wildflower drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Phoebes have finished their nest on their shelf in the barn rafters; probably have started laying their first clutch. Mrs. Bluebird nesting in the front yard is already sitting on 4 sky blue eggs.

Ravishin' Robbie's Hummingbirds haven't said howdy yet, but their feeders are up and waiting. They usually arrive between the tenth and twentieth of April here, so any day now. We did have a treat last night, when I went out to tuck Kessy in, I heard our first Whippoorwill call of the Spring.

Ah yes, what a glorious way to start the day. Hope you all have a perfect day! God Bless!

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

1 comment:

AnonymousApril 16, 2013 at 12:12 PM
Yes,spring is here! Saw three cardinals yesterday near my office. We stopped by the garden center and took tons of photos of pansies, hosta, and other plants for paintings. Will be taking a little break from horses.. and painting flowers. This time of year pushes me into a different pallet. I had a friend say that I seem to paint reds, oranges, and browns..vibrant colors. I realized that I was painting what I feel from the outdoors.. fall leaves, no green grass to be found, so little green in my paintings. But as spring approaches, I find that I am moved by the colors of the flowers, and new green plants that are growing so quickly. Enjoy it while we can! Linda Nedilsky..
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Welcome to the Coffee Clutch

Welcome to the Coffee Clutch, a happy place to visit. I write uplifting stories about a wide variety of subjects from horses to birds and nature, to love and family and friends. Sometimes I'll post excerpts from stories I've written for Equine Publications. Sometimes I'll post about writing itself. Coffee Clutch got its name because I often write while enjoying my morning coffee in the barn with my mare Kessy, and all our critters. Join us here for fun conversation and stories I promise will make you feel good.

It's For The Horses

This is not a book about riding, or training horses. It is a book on my thoughts, ideas and suggestions on how folks might find the joy in doing things for the horse, with the horses’ point of view as the leading guide. My hope is to help as many people as possible learn to hear the horse, feel their spirit, and in that way help horses everywhere. Over the years I’ve met and worked with remarkable people and horses who taught me about their feelings, their joys, their sadness, and their spirit. As a horse advocate everything I do is from the horse’s perspective, including this little book. Every story, idea, suggestion and thought on these pages will be to suggest and share thoughts and ideas on how to maximize a relationship between horse and human—from the horse’s point of view.

Tom Named by Horse

The only man ever to offer Tom respect is Red Cloud. The only woman to give him love is Red Cloud’s granddaughter. Struggling with his own personal demons, Tom finds himself wedged between honoring that friendship and staying true to the depths of his conscience. Amid a backdrop of tumultuous social upheaval, he finds nothing prepared him, the woman he loves or Chief Red Cloud, for the changes about to thunder into their lives, sweeping them helplessly into the tides of human conflict and historical drama. Available on Amazon.

From The Banks OF Little Bear Creek

The Tom Named by Horse Saga continues. Three years after the death of Tall Dog, Tom Named By Horse and Soft Cloud have turned the little soddy, the lands granted them by Red Cloud, and the lean-to barn into a thriving horse ranch, fulfilling Tom’s dream. The Plains Indians Wars, or Red Cloud’s war, is mostly behind them, and the lands have had their transformation as Red Cloud’s vision had warned years earlier. Trailing horses from the ranch to Denver city has become an annual event for Tom, Buck and the rest, and this is the story of that trail. In the spirit of a good old John Wayne movie, vengeance, cattle and horse thieves, a dirty sheriff and corrupt mayor, and a wedding make this year’s drive a ride you’ll want to tag along on.