These are some pictures from my February, but words seem hard to find right now. What to say when the world has undergone such a monumental change? Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness abound and it seems unlikely that anyone in the world will be untouched by the ramifications of this horrific war in Ukraine.
It is hard to balance feeling both overwhelmed and distraught at world events with moments of contentment and happiness in our own individual existence, it creates an uncomfortable mix of emotions that are hard to accommodate. But it is human to feel both, and so I am sending the hope that you are finding some moments of peace and pleasure in your days. As always I turn to nature for solace and find it constant and steadfast in it’s ability to calm racing thoughts and soothe physical tension. There’s knitting going on too, but it seems so inconsequential at the moment and I don’t have anything finished to show.
I’m still trying to work out how best to help, for now I’ve donated to the British Red Cross Disaster Emergency Committee fundraising appeal but there are many many other charities raising funds to help. If you or your loved ones are directly affected you have my very deepest sympathies.
little cotton rabbits 
Your posts are always so soothing and I was in need of it today! What a lovely part of the country you live in. I just love the squirrel photo! The world has seemed such a gloomy place in the last few years but like you, I find a lot of joy in nature. My beautiful cat is sitting on my knee purring as I write this and I am so grateful for her.
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Thank you for your beautiful, comforting post!
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Your beautiful photos exude much needed peace in a time when the world is a scary place for so many. Thank you. My heart goes out to the Ukrainian people.
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You summed up my feelings so beautifully, Julie. I’m sitting in my conservatory looking at the evening sun shining on the houses near and thinking of those who have had to leave their homes. I am so lucky to be able to sit quietly enjoying the view and to know I have food and a bed for the night. All I can do is send money and hope things change soon.
Thank you for the beautiful photos and your well chosen words.
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I can’t fully comprehend what is happening in the world today. But I hope the brave people of Ukraine find some peace very soon at this very sad time xx
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Lovely photos – and the squirrel shot is so good!!! I am very jealous because here in the Midwest of the US we are behind you in terms of spring. If only our snow drops came at this time of year. Sigh.
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Beautiful snowdrops … and how sweet is that little squirrel, it’s cute little ‘hands’ … thank goodness for nature in these sad times.
V x
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Amen.
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Dearest Julie… your photos capture the feelings of being lost, melancholy, heartbroken, and helplessness. I too have given to the Red Cross … as they will be so needed… but I fear what is next to come. So much is out of our control. We exist for such a short time on this earth. Why?
Sending across the silvery sea consoling hugs, compassionate love for all… and I will continue to try to lead with my heart & spread kindness, goodwill and love in my everyday life until I can figure out what to do. 💔 🇺🇦
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Thank you so much for your lovely post. As usual, after reading your post, my day has gotten better. It is such an incredibly heartbreaking time right now – so hard to believe such evil exists.
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I always look forward to opening your emails. Your photos have a special quality to them that I can’t put into words. Very much appreciated. And your stories hold so much insight and wisdom, strength and resolve. Like that phrase you use in the UK about being mother when you pour tea. You feel like mother to us all, in such a comforting way. In the last six years or so I have, several times, allowed myself to minimize my news consumption to a bare minimum to avoid being overwhelmed. But, the war, on top of so many other stories, is like having a bucket of ice water thrown at me. I can’t turn away, at least not for long. But your photos are a comforting reminder of normalcy, and the sense of renewal that Spring affords us, reliably. Thank you for sharing yourself with us.
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Gorgeous photos. The churchyard near here is always filled with snowdrops and looks very much like yours in fact. I wonder if it used to be the case that snowdrops were planted in graveyards. It is hard to go about normal life without feeling the weight of what is happening in Ukraine isn’t it. CJ xx
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Thank you, Julie, for the beautiful, soothing photos and for your words that express exactly how I feel. And thank you for being the gentle soul that you are, helping the world in the ways that you do.
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Your photos are beautiful and much appreciated Julie and once again you sum up the feelings of everyone so succinctly – thank you!
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Julie Isn’t it reassuring and sometimes maddening, in times of strife, that no matter what, the spring bulbs reappear each year, catkins appear on the trees and sightings of animals coming out of hibernation are a delight. I am finding it reassuring that this pattern repeats each year and as you say what a year this is turning out to be already. I am heartbroken for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and their loved ones around the world. Thank goodness for the Red Cross to bring co-ordination and planning to assist as quickly as possible. Some years ago I attended a Red Cross training course where we were trained how to plan and set up a refugee camp. At the time and recently I imagined this would be useful following extreme weather events. Surely such violence and destruction as we are witnessing today would not visit us in Europe again? Why oh why some characters believe violence can deliver anything other than suffering and pain I will never understand. Here’s strength, love and all the help we can send to those in need. Sending best wishes to you and yours, Sandra
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Thank you very much!!
Not only you are capable to do lovely things, and take beautiful pictures, but you are also able to write and to express so well what you feel, which is exactly what I feel.
Thank you so much
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Beautiful photos, thank you Julie. I take hope that from the crushing darkness and cold, tiny, determined little shoots push through with quiet confidence to bless us with their pure white blossoms. The annual reminder to be hopeful and to cherish even the tiny things and be encouraged. We need all the hope and help we can get at the moment.
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Julie: Again, you have captured in words what my heart is unable to express. Much love and encouragement to you as you encourage so many others.
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Dearest Julie, your messages and gift of pattern design bring joy and sunshine and hope to a tired battered world. May you be encouraged and blessed and refreshed. Would something Ukraine related bring hope and encouragement to our friends over there seeing pictures of whatever you felt led to design being shown by those who had made it? I do not know, but t do know that you bring joy and sunshine to us all . Thanks so much. Blessings Leonie xxx
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You take such beautiful photos, has definitely cheered up my day. Also love spending time in nature. Thank you.
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Thank you for your beautiful, comforting post!
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Not only you are capable to do lovely things, and take beautiful pictures, but you are also able to write and to express so well what you feel, which is exactly what I feel.
Thank you so much
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Thank you so much for your lovely post. As usual, after reading your post, my day has gotten better. It is such an incredibly heartbreaking time right now – so hard to believe such evil exists.
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