Renewal

Spring is a time of renewal. Plants that were dormant during the cold winter are once again coming to life. As I traipse about looking for those familiar wild plants I hear the bird songs of summer. The cardinal and hermit thrush have returned and I stop and take it all in this chorus of nature.
The delicate bell-like blossoms of the Low-bush blueberry and maroon trillium are among my finds. I remember picking trillium for my mother as a child and having my father laugh and tell me it's common name was Stinking Benjamin. If you've ever held it up close it is the perfect name for such a lovely thing.
I always feel renewed after I take the time to breath in the sounds and smells of nature.

First flowers : Snowdrops

Pushing up through the cold earth and many times through snow these delicate little flowers give us hope that spring is not too far away.

My father dug up the 1st clump of bulbs and brought them home to his mother. He described to her how he had seen them coming up through the snow. She planted them on a bank near the farm-house and now they cover the bank.

I have dug up clumps and planted them at the different places I've lived and they are such a pleasure to see each spring. These get a jump start because they are planted near the foundation with a southern exposure. Others will not come up for weeks as they are still under 3 feet of snow.

Licorice Celebration!

My father would have been 75 today.
His favorite candy was anything licorice.
This whole month of August I've been trying offerings available.
Good & Plenty is always a good start.