I found the first bloom of spring in my backyard yesterday. Those of you in the upper Midwest know this has been a long and drawn out winter. But we had a delightfully warm & sunny day yesterday, allowing me to clear the marsh grass from the garden beds and do some general cleanup. It was a delight to find the tulip bulbs had emerged about an inch and half above the soil. That was reason to celebrate. But when I uncovered these beautiful little squill blooms I was delighted — our first glimpse of color since last fall. These are tiny flowers, only about two inches tall, so I didn’t see them at first. But for being so small they are certainly mighty; surviving the summer and bringing springtime joy and the promise of warmth and a renewed growing season!
Rewind to last summer
Although the calendar says April, we awoke to three inches of snow this morning. I couldn’t bring myself to post yet another image of winter, so I’m rewinding to the green grass of last summer. I was fortunate to spend a little over two weeks at the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in West Branch, Iowa as an artist-in-residence. The time was a delight and a challenge, and I look back on it now with appreciation for all I learned and experienced, including green grass, blue skies, and blooming flowers!
Bougainvillea red & white
My exhibit of photographs titled “Paths and Portals” ends today at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. Thanks to all the people who came to the receptions (the opening and the closing) and to those who left comments for me at the Center. This image “Bougainvillea red and white” was one of the more popular photographs. Perhaps the colors speak of warmth and summer, while we’re still battling winter’s grip here in Minnesota. This scene is from Tucson, Arizona and caught my eye with its contrasting colors as well as the details that were so artistically painted over the door.
Arrival of spring
I was out early this morning on a short run through my neighborhood. Last week’s cold and stillness of winter has been replaced by the activity and cacophony of spring. My breathing was accompanied by the songs of robins and cardinals and the tapping of a woodpecker, and my running was in synch with the scurrying of squirrels and the neighbors walking their dogs in the early light. Everything comes to life with the promise of spring, including the blowing of white clothes freshened by the spring breeze and warmed in the heat of the sun on the clothesline.
Tinker
For my cat Tinker, who’s getting older and is having health problems right now… Tink is 14 years old and has lost some of his vision, is having kidney problems, and is generally slowing down. Any person with beloved pets knows how difficult it is to see them go through their health issues. It’s a roller coaster of emotions, but I know it’s essential to remember to be appreciative and grateful of all the love and companionship that’s given and shared over the years. So I’m trying diligently to focus on this, and to remember to cherish the photos I have made of Tinker in his various moods and habits.
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