springtime trinity

Wednesday, May 3, 2017
I couldn’t help myself today after a long day of walking from snapping a few shots of the lush corner one block from our apartment building front door. Explosive blooms and scents as I made my way home. Cars buzzing by and waiting for the sign to shift giving me permission to cross. And thanks to the wait I stopped and smelled the lilacs. And my mind said, springtime trinity. Lavendar, deep purple, and soft white dogwood converging against a clear bluebird sky.

I have a few favorite farmers market weekends, and one of them (well, it’s TWO actually) are the weeks that the farmers bring buckets of lilac branches. “Lilac Saturday” my sister and I call the event. People walking through, big bunches of delicious purple blooms hanging out of their baskets and bags. Isn’t Mother Nature so gloriously generous and clever? My whole attitude and outlook shifts when my nose detects this particular scent. I don’t know why. No specific memories or bushes growing up. Just something that makes me happy. Another favorite market weekend…pear ice cream from the dairy. The owner’s sister ships cases from California, and she makes this amazing creamy pear heaven. In case you were wondering.

There are gifts to every season. I tend to resist change, less so than I used to, but I have always said, it’s a good thing God is in charge of the seasons. I get comfortable where I am, and need to be brought up to speed. Even now, the outward growth is amazing and somewhat overwhelming. I am catching up on paperwork and shifting the closet over and on a constant search for a new nest close by. And I don’t even have a yard or gardens to tend to. I know southern friends, it’s late up here. Regardless of where I reside, the thing that hits me every single time is this: (cue up your best Barry Manilow enthusiasm)
IT’S A MIRACLE! A TRUE BLUE SPECTACLE…All of this outward growth and physical evidence of faith in the bare branches and brown lawns transforming as I know they are supposed to and probably will. And they do. Damn Shazam.

It is my homework to continue to go out and sniff the sidewalks even without my little brown guide or car. A friend of hers came and spent a few hours with us tonight. Which made me very happy and then made me sad. Both/and. Dogs and babies. And no, we’re not having either right now. Except for the 20 year old joining us for the summer. Which I know will also be a new season, but considering the long summer away last year, I look forward to the young adult I get to spend time with while he can and wants to come home. It’s very quiet now, and that will change for the summer months.

And August will sneak up on me as does May. And October. Birthdays and holidays and everydays. As wise folks have taught me: stay where your feet are. Be present. Get off your phone. Listen to the sounds or the silence. Smile at the people passing by. Soak up the magical scents of the fruits of Spring’s labor. And keep the allergy medicine close by.

xo, b

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