The snow started Friday night. After 24 hours it was still coming down, whipped by the wind into whiteout conditions. Another 12 hours later the wind had calmed somewhat and the flurries were lighter, but still coming down. The snow was blown into drifts, and it was hanging precariously from the roof eaves. Anywhere from 10 to 12 inches were on the ground. As I headed out to start shoveling my eyes caught sight of the fence. The snow was perched carefully on the railings and even filled in the horizontal line to the caps of the posts. At the bottom the snow had drifted partway up. Two hours of shoveling and the snow was still coming down. Although this sort of snow is not unheard of in Minnesota in April, it is anything but spring-like, and most Minnesotans are dreaming of green grass. Soon!
spring
Spring amongst the snow
Easter and April mean spring. Spring means warmth and colors. Except when Mother Nature decides to put a white icing over the landscape. I spent some time at the McNeely Conservatory yesterday morning photographing the spring flowers. Outside the weather was cold and windy and snowing, but the conservatory was the perfect antidote to the weather. I was surrounded by the smells of tulips and daffodils, hyacinths and magnolias. In the bonsai section I found this lovely azalea. Its diminutive structure seemed to mirror the snow-covered tree outside, while its brilliant colors were the opposite of the landscape beyond the window.
Blooming bravely before spring
Soon the snow will melt, and soon it will be spring! We enjoyed a quick vacation to Salt Lake City the past few days. There were remnants of snow when we arrived, but the sun was warm and the temperatures climbed each day. Being from snow-bound Minnesota, I was thrilled to see these lovely spring crocus – fighting off the cold and the snow of winter, bravely blooming and reminding us that spring will conquer winter and we will be surrounded by color once again. Soon.
A burst of clematis blooms
All within a few days the clematis have burst forth. A delicate pale yellow bloom with a yellow center, this lemon chiffon clematis has climbed up the trellis and bloomed all at once. The cooler temperatures and bright sunshine of the past week coaxed the buds to open in profusion. Soon the other clematis will follow, but it will be hard to top the beauty and fullness of this one.
Lilac blooms
The lilac bushes has blossomed out, and their sweet smell lingers in the air. We’re fortunate to have both white and purple lilacs. Throughout the neighborhood there are lilac bushes and hedges, and some are over 10 feet tall. Their colors and delicateness are noticeable. After the heavy rain from a day ago, the alley was littered with white and purple petals scattered on the ground. As short-lived as their blooming season is, it makes me appreciate their beauty and their scent even more.
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