Spring has sprung!
We have been enjoying some bright, sunny, warm days and pleasant nights for sleeping with the windows open.
Robins have constructed a nest in the crook of the gutters, Mr. Woodchuck made a brief appearance, the spring peepers have performed with a great deal of gusto, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard have returned from their winter down south – and I saw an owl, perched upon a dead tree, seemingly directing traffic on a busy route.
Life is good.
I took some time to walk about at the Sagawau Canyon Environmental Center; a slow walk with the sound of songbirds, the babble of a brook coming tumbling out of the canyon. At first, I thought this was a bluebird oh, how I hoped it was! He sat on the pole for the longest time, serenading with all his might, then, suddenly swooping into the cerulean sky, his true love joining him in a a dance of love.
I never, ever tire of this, dear reader; this primal rhythm of love and life and nature with the slow pull of wonder that leads me to wander about my garden, into the woods, across the arboretums and conservatories and lands that have been wisely conserved for generations upon generations to enjoy.
I “get it”. I think I understand Mr. Emerson’s words that “earth laughs in flowers”.
There have been several days of hard work in the gardens, for sure. Two beds are now raked clean of winter’s wrath, three more beds still sit await, including the swath of prairie we have been slowly developing. There is a bit of a story of our little prairie that I will try to share in another post. Let me just say that where there is smoke, there is fire (and not-to-worry, all’s well that ends well).
Along with my “walk-about”, there is “here-about” the tender emergence of Mayapples, brunnera, and celandine poppies. Lily of the valley are pushing through, as are lungwort and feverfew, marjoram and lavender. Siberian squill is abundant – and then, there are the sweet violets that I first noticed while walking the grounds on my mother’s birthday.
Ma’s name is Violet.
Lifeonthecutoff's Blog 
This particular Emerson quote is one of my favorites, and just perfect for your spring awakening! Your delight and sense of wonder in the beauty of the gardens, both manicured and wild, really shows, Penny, and I am just exulting with you that spring is on the Cutoff and all around you. So many of your sweet flowers here are not to be found anywhere near where I live. All the wildlife waking up must indeed bring joy and I love the way you describe Mr. Owl on duty! And what a double joy to have found a Violet. I really love hearing the excitement in your voice and I am eager for as many stories as you can share about spring as it continues to unfold. I’ll be eager to hear more about your prairie, my friend. I’m very curious now. 🙂
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Thank you, Debra – and it is a favorite quote of mine as well. I was walking past a patch of bluebells just yesterday and thought the quote yet again. We are having quite a display of springtime wonder this year. This grand awakening does bring joy, my friend. While this winter wasn’t bad, it was bleak, so color is as welcomed as the warmth.
Of course, yesterday hit 79 degrees and today is in the 40’s sigh. We are, however, definitely on the other side of winter. 🙂
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Beautiful Spring (sweet memories for me, since ours is very different). Love the tiny hidden treasures you found … The robins egg, the wee flowers…especially the violet…what perfect timing. I can relate to the perfect temperature. We are having a wonderful April in that regard. Doors and widows open to the screen porch breezes. I love it when we don’t need A/C.
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I love it when we don’t need A/C as well, Sallie – and you need it far earlier and longer than we do, for sure. We’ve been sleeping with the windows open and enjoying cool breezes lately. These truly are hidden treasures and they bring out a childlike glee in me. Enjoy this day – Earth Day.
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Seeing Spring through your eyes makes it all the more vibrant. You were a good daughter Penny. Remembering your mother with that glorious violet tells me that.
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Oh, Marilyn, it is so sweet of you to say this. Thank you. Many referred, still do, to my mom as “Sweet Violet”, for she was a very sweet person.
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Later: My Southern Living magazine, May, came today and featured the glossy abelia, abelia X grandiflora, as an evergreen shrub that attracts butterflies but not deer! It has small pink or white flowers that attract the butterflies with small shiny green leaves that turn bronze in fall. Don’t know if it is favored for your zone but thought of you when I read about it. Have a springy weekend!
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Oooooo – that looks interesting, Marilyn. I looked it up and it looks like it is zone 6, which isn’t our zone, BUT, I’ve heard that the zones are being redone to reflect climate changes and we may become zone 6 (or 6a). I’ll keep abelia X grandiflora on my radar. It might be something that will do well in a protected area. Thank you for thinking of me, the butterflies and the deer. 🙂 I’ll look for the May issue of Southern Living and check it out. I used to have a subscription for it, Marilyn, even though most of the plants and trees were not possible here. Love the food, decorating, and it used to have great book reviews. At one point I needed to cut way back on magazine subscriptions and stopped receiving Southern Living.
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I had checked before to see if you had a new post. Now I’m glad I checked again. I love your reflections. What lovely photos!!
The robins have taken over the yard. Well, they’re on one side and the grackles are on the other!
I sent you an email. I finally have a car!
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I’m glad you checked again as well. 🙂 I’m not posting as much as I would like. I need to get back into a routine – but, I thank you, L. Marie.
The robins are pretty active here as well. They are such happy birds. It looks like we are about to have a pretty nice day. I hope you can get out in it for a bit. Thanks, L. Marie. I did respond and I’m so happy to hear that you have a car! Yay!
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I loved this poetic hymn to spring Penny: the surprise of the bluebird, ‘the slow pull of wonder’, the flower photos and the violet, which is always a special flower for me, being my mother’s middle name. Thank you for bringing the breath of spring into my slow turning autumn.
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Thank you, Juliet. You make my heart sing with your kind and generous words and it is nice to remember that our mothers share the name Violet. They are blooming all over right now, here. You are so very welcome. You know I love the sharing of our polar opposite seasons.
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