Ed. note: This morning, republishing an essay from the archives that in fact made its way (in an adapted format) into Small Wonders. Every April, I feel this way: a whipsaw of energy, full of too-big plans and itchy to get outside. It’s a teenage month, isn’t it? Long limbs, full of promise. (It’s in many ways the perfect pub month for my book for this reason: we’re about to fly the coop!). How are you feeling this month? What energy are you drawing to chapter four of twelve?
******
Bare bark now softened by the smudging bloom:
our stalwart front yard tree, the one who lost its leaves and then stood naked through winter,
suddenly backrolled into a blur of blossom.
Spring is everything growing quickly, and all at once.
This momentum carries us along with it. We finds ourselves busy with plans and unnovel ideas: sort the garage, sell the baby strollers, get outside into the green and yielding day. I am energized by it, and sometimes too much. There is a point at which the stimulant spring feels like over-exertion. On the phone this week, my sister said: “I don’t know if it’s the sudden change in seasons, but we’re agitated. We just want to get out, do things!” I knew exactly what she meant. That April agita!
But these petals will soon litter the lawn, and this month of bustle will give way to the languor of high summer. Nothing gold can stay, as Robert Frost put it.
How have I never noticed how receptive I am to the turn of seasons? How the trees in their various stages of dress and disrobe affect my mood and manner? And yet this impressionability is a comfort to me. I learned this week that spiders can dream, that dolphins have accents, and that ants bury their dead. We are, after all, just nature. As small and great.
Post-Scripts.
+”Meanwhile, the world goes on.”
+Nora Ephron, romance, and language.
+Writing is like shaking hands with a blank page.
Shopping Break.
+Two pieces you’ve been LOVING this week: this thrown-on caftan (love love the gingham) and this athletic dress (the polo collar is perfect).
+Wore this blouse this week (with matching skirt). Love LOVE cobalt right now, and Doen makes the airiest cotton pieces! The blouse also looks great with white jeans.
+A thoughtful upgrade to a guest room. (Along with a notepad sharing the WiFi credentials!)
+The most-asked question I’ve fielded the past two weeks on Instagram is about this clover necklace I’ve been wearing! She’s perfect. A great mother’s day gift, too — when I look at it, I see four hearts: one for each member of my family.
+A seriously gorgeous and versatile wear-everywhere striped shirtdress. Also love the crossover detail on this look-for-less option. (The cross-over detailed reminded me of this gorgeous current-season Ann Mashburn dress — my Magpie workerbees, this one is for you!)
+Gucci slides in a fun new color for spring. Also think these Fendis are beyond chic with that eyelet trim!
+These gingham and floral-accented boat totes are adorable for children/teens. I love to give canvas totes as graduation gifts! While we’re talking children’s bags: discovered these Roller Rabbit backpacks on sale for $29 (down from $79!). Thinking ahead to next fall…
+The best night cream. Leaves skin so bright and soft! I just finished a bottle and learned you can order refills versus tossing the entire bottle — I love when brands think about this!
+Our favorite house clogs in a new spring crochet pattern! (Still live in these.)
+The prettiest paper plates for a spring fete (or for sending spring baked goods over to your neighbors)!
+Thinking ahead to summer dips in the backyard — this brand makes great inflatable pools in the cutest patterns. We have a watermelon motif one we bought in COVID times that we still bring out a few times each summer!
+Sweetest personalized pillow for a baby gift.
+Last note: a little reminder that my events for Small Wonders are filling up! There are only a few tickets left for the Charleston event (a friend of mine sent me a photo of a little sidewalk stand outside Ladybird with my name and face on it — omg! you could knock me over with a feather) and the same for Proper Topper! Thank you so much for showing up, Magpies. I’m so excited! BTW, Anna at Proper Topper invited me to put together a “nest of wonders” featuring some of my favorite pieces they carry in their boutique, and you can shop it here! They curate the cutest gift baskets there that take all the guesswork out of gift-giving.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links below, I may receive compensation.
“We are, after all, just nature. As small and great.” Why is that sentiment so comforting! That line will be echoing with me – thank you.
Thank you, friend! xx
When I moved from MA to DC for college, it was startling to me how DC has a REAL spring, unlike New England! I think I knew that on an intellectual level, but experiencing a uniformly lovely April, unlike the mid-40s and pouring rain Aprils of my upbringing, was a pleasant shock to the system. Although I was not a fan of the fact of the flip side of that, which was the 80 degree temperatures well into October…
Love this – such a shock to move even a few states north or south! xx
I SO relate to the urge to get outside this time of year! After a Michigan winter (an admittedly mild one this year), it’s easy to prioritize time outside on the first warm days. I’m willing to move plans, push back dinner prep, etc. in order to enjoy the weather. But once the novelty wears off, it’s too easy to stay in, be rigid, etc. I’m also experiencing spring cleaning fever! With very little margin to do extra cleaning, so it’s a long, agitated (as you said) process!! But I am going to try to carry both practices further into the year…with the aim of a 15 min daily morning walk, and maybe one bigger cleaning/tidying project per week? Ok, better put down my coffee, get out and start as I mean to go on!
I hear you on this – I’ve been saying I’m going to finally sell or donate a bunch of baby stuff and random furniture we no longer need for…years. I need to get it done. I know it will require me to “calendar” a Saturday or Sunday…or maybe even a work day to do it, and it’s so daunting / never feels convenient!!
xx