First things first, thank you to the folks in Tina's Picstory for the nice words they have for my flower entries last week.  I got so busy with things at home that I did not even know about the vote results until Sandra of Letters of Muse gave me notice.  

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I do not like Barberry bushes.  They are thorny.  I have been poked by their sharp thorns too many times that I am wary of them.  

One day, while I was out in the yard, I noticed that their  overgrown branches extending to our little path and, excuse me, making a nuisance of themselves again.  I made a mental note to have them trimmed as soon as I had the time.  Then I noticed how the sun shone on their leaves and made the latter glow.  And then I noticed the little yellow things arranged neatly in a row on the branches.  How pretty those little golden nuggets were as they caught the sunshine.  For the moment, I forgot about the thorns, drew closer to the bush, and admired the yellow delights. 

More than the flower, I suppose it was the joy of unexpectedly finding something beautiful  in something I always thought of as a nuisance that made the difference.  It brought to mind that time from long ago when I was a young and harassed lawyer.

One morning, as I was walking to the bus stop to catch a ride to work, my head clouded with all things that needed to be done and with the tedium of the day,  I saw a young mother with  a little girl in her arms.  Somehow, I looked at them and caught the girl's eye.  I was about to look away when she gave me a bright bright smile.  I did not know what that smile had, but it brought sunshine into my very soul and lifted the gloom shrouding me.  I walked with a little more spring on my steps.  My mind opened in prayer of thanks and joy.  

I suppose that is where the magic of an unexpected beauty lies:  it is a gift from God, an assurance of His love all around.

So today, I pray that you be blessed with beauty from unexpected places and delight in it.  

Have a great day.

Best regards,

Imelda 

P.S.  The overgrown Barberry  branches still need to go though. I am linking again with my favorite Friday place .  And I hope that I post the trackback properly this time.

Well, I was glad that the Northeaster only brought us  rains,

Snow in late April was much too uncomfortable, 

the plants have grown. 

I suppose I sound too whiny. 

I just want those flowers.  Sorry. :-) 

After a day and night of heavy rains, we had a little pond.

I thought we'd miss it this year.  There was not much snow during winter.  

I'm glad it came.  The ground was a little too dry. 

Except for some fallen tulips .... 

..and broken limbs, there were no casualties.  

Nature is taking care of our rotten tree.  Little by little.  

Tree service costs a fortune.

Of course, there was mud! 

What is so irresistible about mud... 

..and puddles?  May I ask? 

Yeah, there was not much casualty.

If you do not count the dirty clothes,

and a mommy's sanity.  

And the following day, it is the same story.

Thank you for visiting.  Have a lovely day. Linking with  PROJECT ALICIA , In Him We Move and Have our Being,  .

~Imelda