Often as the winter days lengthen and the snow begins to melt, I find myself dreaming of picnics to prepare, flowers to pick, stars to gaze, and mountains to conquer. I am attracted to color to cover up the present, dreadful dreariness of the out of doors. These few weeks of the year are the most difficult for me and my overall happiness as the initial thrill of winter has passed and the long for spring air tugs at my soul. (With Saturday's predicted forecast aiming near 60 degrees, I am already planning what to wear and what activities to fill my day with.)

I have found that focusing on all things lovely (as opposed to all things dreary) is an excellent way to dissuade myself from wallowing in self pity. Today I would like to share from you some words that focus on such things.

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"Is any pleasure on earth as great as a circle of Christian friends by a fire?" // C.S. Lewis

“The world is a great book, of which they that never stir from home read only a page.” // John Wade

"I've loved the stars to fondly to be fearful of the night." // Galileo

"If instead of a gem or even of a flower, we would cast the gift of a lovely thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving, as the angels, I suppose, must give." // George MacDonald

"When you read a book as a child, it becomes a part of your identity in a way that no other reading in your life does." // Kathleen Kelly in You've Got Mail