Flowers in Spring

Spring. For me means so many different things, but the thought, the picture that stays in my mind when I imagine spring after a long winter it is the first sight of a crocus or daffodil - that is spring's real statement of new life which is a totally new beginning.

Spring can be wonderfully gaudy in those new beginnings, or like when it first begins can be delicate and pastel and simple. Unlike the profusion of life in summer, spring can actually have many faces, and all new starts for that year's new season.

My paternal grandmother as she aged made a celebration of each decade of her life by doing something out of the ordinary for an "old" person. One decade she took up diving, one she took up snowshoeing but whatever she took on, she challenged herself to physically and mentally stretch. In her later years golf was one of those challenges and she always read volumes to keep up on an ever changing world. This seemed to her to be the way to the real fountain of youth.

I have taken up that same challenge - but in my own way. From this day forward I will try to find something new and lovely about life and myself with each new spring. I certainly won't wait for a new decade since I want to cherish all that I have in this life of mine. Like the flowers every spring I will stretch to touch those different and new things and embrace them.

Grandma C, here's to you and your every growing love for new beginnings!!

The Times They Are a Changin'

Hopes of spring are the center of attention in our area right now. We have some early spring flowers, but are a bit stuck in the "almost spring" weather. That is we're 40s and sometimes 50s during the day, and freezing temps still at night. The grays and browns are everywhere - though the grass is a bit greener, finally. I'm ready for spring...but not quite ready for summer!

The First Colors of Spring

And so begins spring...The first of the spring colors are arriving, from the daffodil fronds, to the purples, whites and yellows of the crocuses in my yard. I've seen to tips of tulip leaves for weeks but to actually see color is a real gift.

Tomorrow will bring rain and spring-like temperatures so I am in hope sof capturing more flowers with my lense!

The Stirrings of Spring

Winter is till trying to remain on stage, but ever so gently Spring is moving into the spotlight and making her warm personality felt in our daily lives. Today was sunny and almost 50 degrees. There are nubs of tulips peeking out through muddy gardens and even the grass has a greener tint.

I am ready to dig my fingers into the warm earth and recreate my garden again this season. Winter is a lovely season but there is little creatively that can come from that cold and white world. With the blue sky comes the first blossoming of colors this year, and I for one am ready to see, smell and touch that vibrant world once more!

Season's History

Last night the last snow flakes of winter fell.
They're talking warmer days and sunshine,
Winter is history, they say.

When does yesterday
Become history?

The blue sky no longer
Peeks around the clouds but
Shimmers in an cloudless sky.

Now becomes something new,
And spring, dancing out into
A blinding spotlight begins that
New Day.
Yesterday, is history.

Pre-Winter

The pre-winter season holds my attention like nothing else does these days. The change from summer to fall was dramatic courtesy of the drought in the midwest this year. Many trees just dropped leaves before any color came, while others flamed brighter than they have in years past.

Now we're entering that "iffy" time of almost winter, but not quite. The weather sooth sayers tell us that the next few weeks will be cold, but then the rest of the winter will be almost balmy...for Michigan. We had that last winter too.

In my years of winter viewing, I've noticed on thing that makes this time of year great for me - as many changes as we have in weather they really cannot predict it well sometimes, and winter is one of those times that can be difficult to understand. It is the one thing that we humans can predict all we want, but often we are still wrong about.

Nature is - for a time at least, still in control. And for that I am glad.

Who are you? I am a wife; mother; grandmother; friend; gardener; writer and so much more. And like a poet i enjoy (Emiliy D.) "I'm Nobody, Who are You?"