Redbud trees

Redbud tree 12811_StaatsOne of my favorite things of spring are the redbud trees.  Their bright pink to purple buds stand out in the otherwise drab landscape.  They are generally not a “tidy” tree, but are often seen on the edges of woodland areas.  As we were in Kansas City a week ago, the redbuds were in full bloom there.  As the spring season has moved northward with warmer temperatures, the redbuds are now in bloom here in southern Minnesota.  Their bloom may be short-lived, but their brightness speaks of the beauty and colors of spring.

A celebration of love and remembrance

Chapel and peonies_StaatsA day of celebration, a day of love, filled with spirits, memories, honor, remembrance, a nod to the past, and a step to the future.  A chapel designed by my father, bouquets of peonies to honor my mother, an intimate gathering of family and friends – a celebration to remember!

Spring’s light

Spring tulips aglow 12770_StaatsIn my longing for the colors of spring, I wandered into the McNeely Conservatory at Como Park.  My spirits rose as I took in the colors and smells of our long-awaited season of spring – an array of lilies, tulips, ranunculus, and daffodils.  Flowers the colors of the sun — the light of spring that we crave so much after the cold and white of winter.  From underneath these tulips the light from above made them glow and shimmer – an ephemeral hint at their fragility and short-lived life in the transition between winter and summer.

Wind and ice

Winter waves Cannon Lake 12691_StaatsWe made a day trip south to Faribault Minnesota yesterday.  The day dawned with a dusting of snow, and a front moving through, prompting strong northerly winds up to 45 mph.  Not a problem for driving south….As we were following along the southern shore of Cannon Lake, I was amazed at the whitecaps rolling across the water.  I have never seen that much wind blowing over the open water.  But then my eye caught the southern shoreline where the wind-blown waves were crashing.  Because of the cold temperatures, the water was freezing along the trees and bushes.  Everything was coated in ice, and even some of the icicles were leaning towards the south because of the incessant winds.  As cold and windy as yesterday was, the pendulum of spring swung the other way today and we enjoyed sunshine and 60’s, with no signs of ice.

Spring’s attempt is foiled again

Dusting on Como Golf Course 12634_StaatsSpring is not known for its consistency.  After tulips had broken through the ground, ice has been off the lakes, and everyone’s thoughts were turning to warmer temperatures, we got a slap of snow.  The temperatures dropped, the winds picked up, and winter came sweeping back into Minnesota.  I headed out before dawn to the Como Golf Course.  The white dusting left some wonderful patterns and allowed the shapes of the trees to stand out in the landscape.  It was still dark enough that the street lights around the lake were lit and glowed a beautiful golden yellow to contrast with the white landscape.  And on the green, the red flag fluttered in defiance of the winter weather.  Undettered, spring will try again this week to get its foothold on our landscape.