MinxterBLOOM

I am building a greenhouse.  And, am surprised. I will write more about this over the next few weeks, as well as post pictures.  But, this undertaking is a bit stunning to me and I am trying to make sense of the surprise.

Brief detour, though, as today is St. Stephen's day or Wren day.  

Wren or dreoilín in Gaelic  may mean "Druid's bird" and that this small, cheeky bird acts as as messenger between this world and the next.  I think of this as more the sideways world that is with us, but we not dare fully see or even admit to this parallel reality.  Read the thoughtful John O' Donohue on this.  Tis deeply Celtic.

“The eternal world and the mortal world are not parallel, rather they are fused.” 
― John O'Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom

Historically, a wren was hunted in a highly mannered way (think fox hunt).  Capturing little "dreo" brings good luck for the new year. In modern times, the tradition of "hunting the wren" involves musicians and mummers roaming from house to house and "passing the hat."   

Back to my garden.  Wrens live in three lady holly trees outside my window. Dear wee fluffed birds, these cold days. But, in spring, their burbles and fluted songs return.