Or is it just having fun?
I had the joy of observing these two patches of flowers yesterday.
One is wild in the woods and the other is wild in the garden. Judging books by their covers, are we?
But someone has written that having a book in your pocket is like having a garden in your pocket. Then where do the wild flowers belong?
But anywhere you find them, they are a discovery pleasure of spring.
Wild in the garden
Wild in the woods
Had to catch a bus today. Once a week I have therapy and I get there by bus. Well, on the way…it is mid-March in the Berner Oberlands and March came in like a lion with Russian wind and cold from Siberia. The first two weeks felt the harsh results.
But this morning, on my way to catch the bus, I saw the promise of spring realized. I had to stop and photograph.
Is today the day? For sure.
And even I was still 10 minutes early for a bus that is always on time. Temperature had risen above 50 degree fahrenheit. Mild for mid-March. I sat down and took one more photo before the bus.
Deep breath of fresh water lake air. No chill. Yes, spring.
Just another day, but…
Winter does have some beauty.
Just when we may think winter does us in…
Spring shares hope.
Everything to see, smell, hear and feel.
3 of 3
2 of 3
1 of 3
Where oh where can the apples be?
It is the middle of the northern hemisphere winter.
The time of death.
The time of life hidden.
Yet when I look at these mature apple trees, smiles of hope well up inside me.
My imagination sees apple blossoms;
Smells apple blossoms;
Tastes apples off the tree;
Tastes apple pies;
Tastes apfelcheuchli;
And having had my senses gratified, I sleep peacefully.
Please share your apple thoughts and memories.
Wisteria floribunda gently stirs…youthful fragrance…mature strength.
Imagine
late April
Northern hemisphere
Spring moisture
17 degrees centigrade
cloudless sky
mid morning
faint breeze…
…just enough to stir these sweet fragrances
and you will have no doubt…
as you gently and deeply inhale…
A mature spring is about.
***Warning Hate Inside***
When I was a kid, my dad used to send me out in the front yard lawn, early spring, saying, “Get rid of the dandelions—and get out all the roots, too.”
Never, I never won that battle. Always more dandelions and always more vociferous exhortations from my dad.
Dandelion hate. Part of my childhood.
Well, I’ve grown up and now live in a new neighborhood.
And by golly did I have fun yesterday glorifying in the 500 meters above sea level central Switzerland landscape—dancing with the dandelions.
A sea, waves of dandelions in all their floriferous glory. Dancing away my hate.
Dandelions…no matter how seen,
Glowing with energy,
The light of the field.
I’m sure they have forgiven me.
The dandelion landscape…er…seascape.
Dancing dandelions
Dandelion bounce–it’s fun
Dandelion threesome
Dandelion dominatrix
Northern range of the Swiss Alps.
Last third of April–lots of spring flowers–violets going by–winter clothes put away–boom–spring snow showers.
Violas, violet, over oak.
Snow showers–normal April the locals say.
Snow flakes–dancing and jolly as if they are enjoying the joke.
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About this time of year, the early spring on the northern slope of the Swiss Alps in the Jungfrau Region–as the grasses first turn a full green, as the first wild primroses bloom, as the forsythia and magnolias bloom, the farmers bring out the sheep and cows–the bells and their random mystical ringing. At this same time a unique spring melody plays as the sparrows and the blackbirds greet the animals and the warmer sunny days.
If you try, you can almost add this photo plus the bird song to discover the briefest moment of fresh, sweet, spring air in the Swiss Alps.
The spring wild flowers in homeowners’ lawns speak Easter to my memories.
Between the mountain air and those flowering plants is an aura that feeds and frees my creative synapses. Absolutely amazing.
Some people might call it a ‘natural high’ but no. Whatever it is, it inspires, it energizes and encourages the freedom that is the base of creative thoughts, words and deeds.
The airs are important. On the highest and northernmost massif of the Swiss Alps, the airs flow down, mingled with the airs of the plants and earth, otherwise undisturbed, from 4,000 meters (above sea level) over the surfaces of broad lakes into and among the gardens of the villages at 600 meters.
Springtime rains mix air and earth…life begins to stir.
This diverse mix of wild flowers bloom in that narrow window, just after the grasses green with life but before the grasses spurt with growth.
Veritable glens, even forests of delicate spring flowers invite walks of discovery.
And on the edge of civilisation where village garden meets mountain landscape…
Flowers, forest, animals, children, parents, play, nurture, gardens, landscape…
How can the beauty of spring become black and white and retain its ethereality?
The same but different. We have just to live it.
Yesterday
Tomorrow
…a south facing slope at 580 meters above sea level on the northern edge of the Swiss Alps…
