It rained last night, quite a bit, obviously, since everything was really wet this morning. But the thunderstorm I hoped for never materialized. Such is the weather, or maybe I should say such is the inability of even the most sophisticated meteorologists to guess what's going to happen next.
But the weather front moved through, leaving behind an unbelievably sparkling, brisk day of sunshine, birdsong, and crystal clear raindrops on everything. Brother Wind is blowing through town, too, in his benevolent form as bringer of spring.
I saw daffodils for the first time today, plenty of crocus, too. And so it begins - spring, I mean. Part of my celebration of the season includes an irresistible urge to name the order of blooming plants as long as I can - until spring gets so crazy that no one can keep up with it. It's like being at a reunion in some way, recognizing first this flower, then the next, then the next. I love it.
Why do I love the order of bloom so much? Who knows. It reminds me of some of the most tedious chapters in the Icelandic sagas, in which the lineage of the characters going way back in time is recited. Not a lot of action in those chapters, but they do have their own kind of charm. I mean, how far back can you name your own lineage? Medieval Icelanders knew their family backgrounds, you better believe it. Actually there are chapters in the bible that in effect do the same thing.
My version of this, since I can only trace my own lineage back three or four generations, is: crocus, daffodil, tulip, iris - or - fruit trees, American elm, dogwoods, and last but not least, the mighty oaks. And on and on, you get the picture.
Oh glorious springtime, I love you and your crazy upward pushing energy. I love your orderly bloom that eventually becomes a crazy riot of color. I welcome you whole heartedly but please tell me - please? Why am I so allergic to you?
Ah-Choooooo!
11 comments:
Wow. Green! That's not happening so much in NJ yet. I'm going to miss the bloom in DC this year ... (sniff)
I saw an mega-size container of Claritin at Costco yesterday and thought of you. I guess it's that time once again, yes? Just let me know if you want me to buy you a life-time supply since you will probably never find yourself in that store...
We always had all of the spring blossoms in my childhood yard: narcissus from my grandmother's land, daffodils...many many hybrids, hyacinth, crocus, early and late tulips and even beds of violets..white and purple, forsythia (which my mother would "force" into bloom early by cutting branches and bringing them inside with branches of pussywillow,) snowdrops, grape hyacinth, jack in the pulpits, lily of the valley, primroses. My mother made it a habit that on the first "warm" morning...she would go out and pluck a bower of blossoms and fill tiny vases around my room. The windows would be opened to let in that wonderful fresh air, and she would awaken me to spring. It's a wonderful tradition to pass down, yes?
I dreamed of you and Jake last night and was musing yesterday on blogging about the the order of blooming in the hedgerows hereabouts - wow, I must be tuning in to you!
Bless you! Have you ever tried shots of Weleda's Gencydo? Works a treat for the spring's overjoyous "bounty".
Great photos! I'm afraid we have a way to go here as far as spring bulbs coming up. I wouldn't mind seeing signs of spring right about now. I am really a winter person, but this year I'm ready for a change. If it's not really going to be winter it may as well be spring!
Poor you with allergies!
I have to laugh, thinking about you in Costco, Barbara, being reminded of me by the huge boxes of Claritin. What I've got is a cold. Oh well ...
Cube what a fantastic thing your mother did for you, awakening you to spring. I can imagine how much fun it must have been for her, and how wonderful for you! What a mother! Wow. The apple did not fall far from the tree.
Moonroot, would love to hear your dream! How cool!!
Lynne and Rothko - ya'all live north of the Mason-Dixon line which I believe is not only a political placement but a meteorological boundary as well. Sorry it's not spring there yet - but - you guys got snow this winter. We didn't get anything except a couple of inches in December. I miss snow.
Ms. Vanilla - I'll try it! Thank you!! Is it fall-like in S. Africa?
Dennis likes spring rains and thunderstorms.
"order of bloom" - oh yes! And that was one of the biggest surprises for me when I moved to France from Canada: instead of having everything shooting forth in a mad dash, I discovered that spring really and truly is a season. We are in the forsythia, magnolia and mimosa period. The daffodils have peaked and so have the wild almonds and plum trees.
My sympathy for the suffering part of it - like a deep burn in the head, yes? I find that rinsing out my nostrils helps a lot - snort in and blow out (sounds gruesome I know, but not as gruesome as the burning pain of pollen)
Lee? I'm just about to use the Neti pot. Gross? Anything that has to do with sinuses is, right? But it does really help. Thanks!
could your photographs BE more beautiful?
I think not.
Love them
Love you
Love you lots--feel better soon.
Post a Comment