Spring Indeed

DEBORAH CROMBIE:  Today it is Spring by the clock if not by the official date, but here in north Texas it is Spring regardless of the calendar! There are no more freezes in the forecast. The cardinals are singing and the hummingbirds will arrive any time.  Here are a few glimpses from my garden.

 

That's the huge oakleaf hydrandea just inside our gate. I love it when it begins to leaf.

The bridal wreath along the back fence.

The native coral honeysuckle, which hopefully will grow up our pergola this summer, and will attract lots of hummers!

Carolina jessamine on the north fence.

And my favorite thing--the tiny, velvet buds of the little Japanese maple we planted last spring.

If all this doesn't get you in the mood, here's a little help from Gerard Manley Hopkins.

SPRING

Nothing is so beautiful as Spring –         

   When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush;         

   Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens, and thrush         

Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring         

The ear, it strikes like lightnings to hear him sing;

   The glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brush         

   The descending blue; that blue is all in a rush         

With richness; the racing lambs too have fair their fling.         

What is all this juice and all this joy?         

   A strain of the earth’s sweet being in the beginning

In Eden garden. – Have, get, before it cloy,         

   Before it cloud, Christ, lord, and sour with sinning,         

Innocent mind and Mayday in girl and boy,         

   Most, O maid’s child, thy choice and worthy the winning.

REDS and readers, what's blooming for you?