In the Midwest we experience a tug of war between winter and spring. The roller coaster of temperature swings, along with the snow, ice, and thawing, keep us in a limbo between the seasons. Just this past week we had enough snow melt that many things have become visible once again. The warmth of the sun melted all the snow off our yellow chairs and even caused the snow to recede enough to expose some of the lawn, albeit brown. The snow itself has lost its whiteness, instead looking pocked and littered. We navigate large puddles and potholes during the day, and track carefully across those same items covered in ice during the night and early morning hours. Soon (?) the tide will turn, and spring will win out. In the meantime, we keep coats, gloves, boots and snow shovels close by.
spring
Anemones
Because of our cooler-than-normal weather, the usual flowering season for all of our plants has been delayed. The other night I went over to the horticulture garden at the University of Minnesota, not knowing what if anything I would find blooming. It was a cool, overcast evening with a slight breeze, and I was delighted to find these beautiful white anemones dancing as the wind blew through them. Their slender stems seemed barely able to support the blossoms as they swayed back and forth, but their brightness was a wonderful contrast to the gray evening. I have read of places where there are fields of anemones, and I can only imagine how delightful it would be to see an entire acre of dancing anemones!
Lilacs
Spring is here. Abundantly. Everywhere we have flowering trees in bloom, tulips that are reaching upward toward the sunlight, and leaves that have burst forth. But one of my favorite blooms (and scents) of spring are the lilacs. We are fortunate to have them throughout the Twin Cities; not only do they grace yards and alleys, but they are also planted along the highways, streets, and county roads. On a warm and sunny day it’s a delight to drive along a road edged with lilacs and have their wonderful light scent float into the car. We have both the purple and white lilacs in our yard. Because of their delicateness and short life-span once they’ve been cut, I find I cherish them even more. Soon the blooms will be gone and the bushes covered with full leaves. But for now I will revel in their beauty and smell of everything spring!
Wind, weather, and a road trip
I hit the road this past weekend for a quick trip to the Kansas City area. It was a time for catching up with family and celebrating my niece’s high school graduation. We were even able to fit in an evening of pond fishing – the winds were calm, the air was warm, the sunset over the farmland was beautiful, and even the fishing was successful. I headed back home to Minnesota yesterday, leaving Kansas City in the morning after an early thunder-storm had passed. The sun was out and the temperature was rising, as was the humidity. I was watching dark and threatening clouds to the north, hoping they would move east before I got to that area. As I arrived in northern Iowa, the weather intensified to the north and east with large clouds blossoming on the horizon right along the front line. The radio station kept interrupting with severe weather and tornado warnings to the east and the south. When the interstate merged to one-lane and the cars started to back up, I took the first exit. This area of northern Iowa is filled with wind turbine farms, all working to harness the power of the winds that blow across these plains. Their height and power seemed to compliment the weather that was building in the area. My timing was perfect as I was west of this storm system, and my time photographing allowed me to miss the heavy downpours that were to the north. I managed to arrive home in between the storms, but with an appreciation of the power (and randomness) of Mother Nature.
Freesias, and the elusiveness of spring
Spring has been more than elusive this year for us in Minnesota. Our winter has lingered way longer than anyone wants, even threatening the long-awaited fishing opener next week. When we should have 60 degree temps, open water, and blooming flowers we have instead endured two snowfalls in the past week alone, temps in the 30s and 40s, lakes still covered in ice, and nothing blooming. But there is one place that is a haven of spring at this time of year – the McNeely Conservatory in Como Park. This has been my refuge and antidote for our cold and gray continuing winter. I found tulips and hyacinths, calla lilies and these lovely freesias. The perfect dose of colors, smells, and the promise of spring. Yet to come.
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