Changes

Have you noticed that things seem to be changing, almost evolving before our very eyes?  When I was still in school, many years ago, one of my simple summer pleasures was spending time wandering the woods and pastures on my parents’ land.  I meandered down by the creek, followed cow paths, and knew where to find wild flowers in the spring, berries in summer, wintergreen berries in the fall – things in season.

Buttercups

Now I’m noticing that some things seem to be available at different times than fifty years ago.  The violets that a relative gave me to plant a few years ago bloomed at their usual time, but the wild forget-me-nots that I remember blossoming in the hot summer sun of my youth were blooming at the same time.

Forget-Me-Nots

This past weekend, I was on a photography shoot with my camera club, and I noticed buttercups flowering – another delightful flower from my summer wanderings.  One more earlier-bloomer is my lilacs; late May used to be their time, but now they are all done with flowering by the middle of the month.

Plants like daisies and brown-eyed-Susan also seem to bloom much earlier than the late summer I remember.  The plus of that is that they seem to bloom for a long time, too, so how much fun is that?

Today, I noticed that my chives are in full bloom, and the sage plant by the back door is budded (herbs).  So I guess it’s time to plan tonight’s supper and add some fresh flavor from the garden!

Chives in bloom

Sage with Buds

Would love to have your comments on this – what is your experience?

Discovery

After surviving all these many years, one begins to think you know all there is to know, that you are too old to learn, or there just isn’t anything new to learn.  I try not to think that way about myself, and yesterday I proved the value of an open mind — I found something entirely new to me!  Actually, I must credit my husband with the find, but it was new to him, too.

We have a couple Scotch pine trees in our yard; one is 35 or so years old, the other a few years younger.  While working in the yard, my husband noticed something unusual on the ends of some of the lower branches.  Usually, this is what we see this time of year.

Scotch Pine Tip

But this is what we found on one of the trees yesterday.

Scotch Pine Blossom

An online friend has identified this as the  blossom.  I suppose they do not last very long, but I’ll have to check that fact out as the days pass.

Yesterday was indeed a day of discovery!

Skies and the “Super Moon”

Saturday’s impending big event — the “super moon”– had me out the door after supper to see if the sky was going to be cooperative.  Even if the moon was lost to clouds, I wanted to have something to remember the day.

Late Day Sky/Clouds

Day is Done

Later, I headed back outside to see if I could capture that special moon, and managed to get some shots.

Super Moon

days slip by unheeded

till sun glows from western sky

time passes, too soon over

 

 

Yellow

Yellow is the color of warmth, sunshine, and cheer.  Bright yellow is used for danger warnings on signs, clothing, and emergency vehicles.  Pale yellow makes you think of butter, yummy lemon cookies, creamy vanilla pudding, and bananas.

Yellow can mean cowardice and sometimes is symbolic for mourning or death, and can also represent courage or peace.

Many flowers come in shades of yellow, e.g. goldenrod, tulips, and dandelions.  For some reason, I never think of yellow when I think of orchids.  Those I usually think of in terms of lavender, white, or purple.  I’ve probably seen yellow orchids many times, but until I received a gift recently of a yellow Phalaenopsis, they just didn’t stick in my mind as ever coming in yellow!

This new addition to my collection of house plants is very cheery and sunny, and exudes the warmth of spring sunshine even on a dreary rainy day.

Am Just Trying....

Reblogged from Niltsi's Spirit:

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Am just trying

Am just trying to leave you many clear blue skies, Countless jeweled  sunrises and grandiose sunsets To remember me by in the present tomorrows and As the memories of my time on Earth will unfurl Amidst the ages to come, around some future tables, In the beautiful minds of all those I loved so dearly.

Be your sunset as good and joyful as was your sunrise.

A recent post by a friend/fellow blogger...

So Early!

Over the past few days, my husband noticed an occasional butterfly flitting around our house, even one evening when it was only in the 40′s (F).  Tonight, one was back.  I grabbed my camera, ran outside, and managed to capture 3 or 4 shots before it disappeared.  As far as I can remember, it’s the earliest we’ve seen any butterflies around our yard.  I hope I have properly identified this butterfly; if not, please let me know.

Red Admiral

First Fruits

No, there aren’t't any fruits yet – but even the promise of fruit as the blooms on our fruit trees begin to peak out of their winter coats is a good vision of things to come.  What a glorious time of the year!

Blooms on Pear Tree

Peach Blossoms

pink, cream, white, coral

buds erupt in spring splendor

ballet in sunshine

Even the bees are enjoying the sunshine and finding the first blossoms of the season.

Peach Tree Branch