Thursday, March 16, 2023

Early Risers

She moved among us for a while, that tease of spring forward into the arms of warmth.  She’s such a flirt.  Then poof!  She took flight, and frosty air surrounds her flock of early risers frozen in time, bending and twisting, warped in frozen air.  Winter has little compassion as he watches them fighting to not give up, waiting for her return. 
 
As I survey my frosty domain, the dandelions are perky, bathing in sunshine on the frozen earth, their faces unfazed.  Daffodil flowers bend downward , their cups beginning to shrivel, while the young dogwood flower’s bracts twist away from each other.  Celandine Poppy flowers are closed tight, while Columbine leaves wilt to grasp the cold ground. 
 
Dusk inches across the landscape with its ability to cover up the flaws of this wintry day, while the blackened trees stand out in the darkening sky as a reminder that earth will not let go of her grasp and allow one to fall in this wasteland of winter, at least not tonight.
 
As I sit here plagued with the complexities of how this narrative could end, the dog’s stare is fixed upon my being as he’s frozen to the floor in front of me waiting.  A cat’s loud complaints fill the air, louder and louder, until he’s staring through the open door.  Plopping himself down, as if in defiance, he’s grooming his derriere with no intention of ever stopping.
 
I must take flight before Miss Charlotte appears, as she’s the last straw, before my toes begin to look a bit more like kibble to nibble.  We all know spring is just around the corner on the calendar, but winter has a way of laughing at our calendar and whispering "you fools".  

May your weekend be as you wish, and may your wish be happiness.




- Most photos were taken before the deep freeze -



'My Beauty' species tulip
This tulip actually comes back year after year.


Wild Violet


Celadine Poppy


American Dogwood
Four leaves called bracts surrounding the flower buds in the center.
Early bracts are green, lightening to white as they mature.


Fothergilla Gardenii Shrub with buds and immature leaves.


Trooping Crumble Cap mushrooms





Dandelion amid Purple Dead Nettles


Miss Dandilion meets Mr. Dandy Lion.
She's not impressed.





Spice Bush flowers
Quite tiny flowers that can be missed if one is not looking.


Wild Violets








Virginia Bluebells


Narcissus


This one wasn't removed when pond was changed into a bog area.
Buried under two feet of topsoil, it grew to the surface the next year.
It's not as big as it used to be in the pond, but still amazing.


Little Sweet Betsy (Trillium cuneatum)


Grass after a thunderstorm


Daffodil nibbled on


Honeybee


American Redbud
Flowers usually bloom directly on the large branches,
but this year the large branches are bare.
I think the violent thunderstorm we had earlier stripped them off.  







Cuddles
- Austin and Charlotte -


Primadonna


We love our new bed!
>^. .^<









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18 comments:

  1. ...thanks for the preview of things to come here. Enjoy the beauty that surrounds you.

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  2. You're absolutely right -- Spring is a terrible, TERRIBLE tease! My favourite photo is the grass with all the raindrops -- so lovely!

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  3. After having 90° temps during February, we're waking up to dark, chilly mornings. Daylight Saving Time is messing with me this year.

    Love,
    Janie

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  4. Those pictures are so beautiful!

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  5. A lovely ode to the struggle between spring and winter. My area of coastal Southern California usually doesn't even acknowledge the existence of winter but this year has been much colder. Of course, what we regard as "cold" might be considered downright balmy in many parts of the country.

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    Replies
    1. I know what you mean. We moved to Tennessee from Colorado Springs, and here a dusting of snow throws everyone into a panic. Six inches of snow shuts everything down. We consider this place fairly mild considered to Colorado, even though we have deep freezes of weather at times.

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  6. Hello Yvonne,
    Your flowers are all lovely. Winter is not over yet, we have a few nights coming with temps low in the 20's. Your kitties are sweet, I am sure they love that bed.
    Take care, have a happy weekend.

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  7. Your beautiful words and use of language take me right to your space where spring struggles and then is hit back, only to try again. And yes, the dogs and cats are oblivious, so long as dinner is on the table at the right time! A happy weekend to you, Yvonne.

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  8. Hello, Yvonne,
    Winter is battling it out with spring, the poor plants do not handle this back and forth weather. You have had a lot of blooms already, we only have some daffodils blooming. Austin and Charlotte look so cute cuddling, great photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

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  9. Hello Yvonne :=)
    Splendid take on Winters cruel lengthy stay and Spring's efforts to break through the icy barrier. Your flowers are all lovely, and the images of tiny mushrooms and raindrops on grass beautiful.Austin and Charlotte look warm and cosy in their new bed. Here it rains incessantly and my soggy flowers wilt.
    Very enjoyable post.
    All the best and warm hugs.

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  10. The early flowers are so welcome and it's hard to see those frosty temps return. I always loved the dogwoods and redbuds in the woods in early Spring. Here in Florida, we have quite a few wildflowers blooming now.

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  11. It’s lovely to see your blooms and garden awakening. Mother Nature can tease with its burst of frosty temperatures, but Spring is almost here!

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  12. It's always a shame when frost claims nature's beauty, but there are usually things to make up for the loss. Love your flowers.

    Thanks for sharing your link at My Corner of the World this week!

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  13. Oh how I loved your early spring garden Yvonne and I'm glad you were able to capture its beauty on camera before late winter came back with a vengeance. I am hoping that some of those lovely flowers were brave enough to fight back! Your writing is as perfect as your photographs -- I enjoyed the visit! Happy Spring -- which I do you will soon be experiencing !

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  14. Beautiful spring flowers and a fairy to deliver them

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  15. Your photos are stunning, Yvonne.
    Love your adorable kitties.

    Hugs and blessings

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  16. Our spring is a tango, Yvonne, one step forward and two back. Beautiful blooms!
    Amalia
    xo

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