“All Nature seems at work. Slugs leave their lair
The bees are stirring, birds are on the wing,
And Winter slumbering in the open air,
Wears on his smiling face a dream of spring.”
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Let the celebrations begin….a new season is coming and what better time to start the party!!
It is time for our first Seasonal Celebrations or as I like to think of it…. how I observe, proclaim, glorify and dedicate myself to this new season. What is it that evokes this season for me? Can I even pick one thing, doubtful. And since the season for me that will be starting is spring, that is the season I am celebrating. If you are one of our neighbors to the South, autumn is upon you so join me by celebrating your new season.
There are so many firsts that proclaim spring is here in my garden. The fond memories of springs gone by that sustain me during our long, cold winters. So what are those memories, those dreams of spring now new adventures that tell me winter is unclenching its firm hold.
1. I think my favorite sign of spring is that of the first pollinators pictured above. When I hear that familiar buzz of the bees, it is like a fire has been lit inside me. I follow them as they fly from bloom to bloom usually in early April. Bees drunk with pollen, I feel that same drunken state brought on by fresh air, blooms and bees.
2. First blooms by way of early bulbs. This year the crocus are up a full 3 weeks early, but there are only a few. It is when I see many of my cherished blooms brighting up the garden that I know spring is finally here. Pictured here are daffs, Glory of the Snow, iris reticulata and hyacinths.
3. First annuals planted. I love to get some early containers planted up especially on the front porch growing in all that the spring sunlight. Nothing says spring like pansies and violas. I just love these flowers and they last well into June with the front porch now shaded as the weather heats up. This year I am starting many varieties from seed. They are on the cool basement floor covered with newspaper. I hope to have many blooms in time for spring planting.
4. The pond coming to life is another marker of the seasons turning. The ice melts and the frogs suddenly awake and appear. Tadpoles that had been hibernating below now swim about. The green algae returns and the plants along the pond edge come to life. Even the water lily braves the cold water and stretches itself from the dark water below to catch the warm spring sun.
5. The first morning I wake to hear a robin singing is a special day. I know that the birds are coming back to nest. You can hear so many songs intermingled that you need no alarm clock. Who would want to stay in bed knowing the spring day is beginning. Now I will warn you that there is already a fight over the nesting boxes in my yard in mid February. This far too early, but maybe not this year. A pair of bluebirds had claimed their rightful box only to get caught napping, and a sparrow now resides there and is not budging. There is another house for them, but I am unsure if they will take it. And miracle of miracles, the red-winged blackbirds have returned. They graced my garden on February 27th. For me this bird is the true harbinger of spring and I now am in full get-ready-it-is-spring mode. I was yelling and jumping around the house with glee….
There are many other signs for me….the veg garden’s first planting of early vegetables, the first warm rain, the first warm breezes carrying the scent of spring blooms and of course my native wildflowers blooming. And below is my mantra for spring. I hope it serves me well as a wonderful mantra for my life.
- maple buds growing
Mantra for Spring:
Open your mind to all that is possible this season. It is amazing what experiences are awaiting you.
Soften your gaze. Relax and look through eyes of wonderment. Oh the things that you will see!
Come Join Us:
I hope you will join me for this very special meme. It can be anything you want it to be. And it seems so appropriate to collaborate with Beth and her Lessons Learned meme. What lessons have you learned this past season of winter here in the North and summer in the South. Then tell us about your wishes, desires and dreams for the new season.
The rules are simple. Just create a post that talks about lessons learned and/or seasonal celebrations. If you are joining in for both memes please leave a comment on both our blog posts. Or if you are choosing to join only one meme, leave a comment on that blog post. Make sure to include a link with your comment.
Beth and I will do a summary post of our respective memes on the solstice or equinox. And we will keep those posts linked on a page on our blog. Your post should be linked in the weekend before the solstice to give us enough time to include your post in our summary. And if you link in a bit late, never fear we will include it on the special blog page.
The pictures here can be used in your post, or add the widgets to your blog. My widget, Seasonal Celebrations, is pictured above. You can grab the code at the bottom of my sidebar. Hopefully the code should work. It is a painting (done digitally) of my pond. Beth’s widget, pictured here, is available on her blog. So won’t you join in the celebration!!
“Spring passes and one remembers one’s innocence
Summer passes and one remembers one’s exuberance
Autumn passes and one remembers one’s reverence
Winter passes and one remembers one’s perseverance.”
– Yoko Ono, Season of Glass
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Next up on the blog: Gardens Eye Verse this coming Monday and I will be joining in to several memes around this time. I will have the last 2 color posts in March in time for GBBD, yellow, and Wildflower Wednesday, green. Of course I will highlight another favorite native plant in March as part of my Simply The Best series with Diana@ Elephant’s Eye. And don’t forget to join Beth@PlantPostings for Lessons Learned and me for Seasonal Celebrations.
I am linking in with Tootsie for Fertilizer Friday to flaunt my dream flowers. Her badge is on my sidebar.
Please join me for my weekly posts, every Tuesday, at Beautiful Wildlife Garden. Currently I am highlighting my favorite wildflowers.
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