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!
flowers
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.
Two exhibits in the Twin Cities area
I’m very happy to tell you about two exhibits that I have in the Twin Cities area. The first is part of a group exhibit at Hudson Hospital in Hudson, Wisconsin. My collection of photographs is titled “My Midwest.” This group of images, including the first photograph above from the Boundary Waters in Minnesota, represent the beauty and diversity that I have found while living in the Midwest. There will be an artists reception at Hudson Hospital this Friday, February 8th from 6:00 to 8:00pm. You are welcome to come see my work as well as the work of other artists. My photographs will be at Hudson Hospital through March 17, 2013.
The second exhibit is at St. Barnabas Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Minnesota. This collection of images is titled “florabundant” and includes the lower photograph of a gaillardia. These images all celebrate the color, radiance, and wonder that exists in the floral universe. In contract to our winter landscape which is presently covered in white and devoid of any other colors right now, this collection is filled with the hues and brightness of spring, summer, autumn, and the whites of winter too. This exhibit runs through the month of February.
A search for color
Our weather has turned wintry today with falling temperatures and rain and sleet. I looked around the yard and found it void of color. But just earlier this week the sedum had turned a beautiful rusty-red. I don’t usually pay too much attention to the sedum, but each small bud and the deep color reminded me of cranberries (another of my fall favorites). I am glad to see that I stopped to photograph the sedum before it bore the brunt of the freeze and slap of the cold temps. Sometime in the near future our landscape will be refreshed in another color – the white of winter.
Bee balm in the fall
Fall is quickly vanishing across our landscape. The colors that blazed so brilliantly are now gone. The leaves that valiantly clung to the tree branches have let go and fallen to the ground. We’ve been working in our yard and gardens, preparing them for winter. As I was pulling out plants that were way past their prime I found a stand of bee balm, their flowers having dropped many weeks ago. I paused for a moment and realized how beautiful this seedhead was — a globe of intricate pieces that wasn’t noticeable during its summer bloom. Sometimes I feel the need to appreciate those things that are stripped of their original beauty and taken out of the context we’re accustomed to. Here too was beauty and form, even out of season.
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