Monday, March 15, 2010

Mostly Pictures, Spring Version

Spring is like a baby in that every day there are changes. Every day a progression forward towards growth. There is no stopping it. There is only noticing it, being grateful for it, being amazed.

The dogwoods that were tight buds three days ago are starting to show tiny green pointed tongue-leaves. This time next week? Oh. Watch out. Blessourhearts will be dogwoods, dogwoods, dogwoods.

And azaleas.

Here is the velvet glove of the ash magnolia.

And the blowsy blossoms of the Japanese magnolia.

I let the chickens out to graze. Really, they do graze, snipping and eating the tiny yellow clover flowers.

And no, that is not a giant pecan shell. It's a small one.

Oh, how I love to watch them ramble and march.

Dolly, Sukie, Mabel, Betty. I think.

And scratch in the hydrangea bed:



The sturdy gate and new, tight fence which will keep those chickens out of the collards and which has allowed them their freedom. May we paraphrase Robert Frost and point out that good fences make happy chickens?

And finally this:

My front porch which has empty pots and pots with plants I'm going to take a wait-and-see attitude about before I begin to uproot and toss brown remnants of last year's green. Some will come back. You just wait and see.
I spent a good half-hour at least, yesterday, trimming back my porch ferns and sweeping and making things tidy, even if they are not profusely blooming. Still, it is beautiful to me and ready for a porch-sit as the evening sun goes down or the morning sun comes up.

Spring. Hold your horses, people. It's galloping into view.

20 comments:

  1. thank you for the jaunty ride into astoundingly welcome, can it burst soon enough?

    S P R I N G!!!!

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  2. Thank you for these great photos. The velvet glove indeed. May I say that is one bad-ass garden gate? I knew it would be. Love to you my sweet. xo

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  3. I'm so ready for spring. Yesterday, after I finished running around, I dragged one of the plastic Adirondack chairs from the fire pit up to my front yard. I just sat out there barefoot and just enjoyed the way the wind pushed clouds over the sun, so I was cool warm cool. It was pretty perfect, honestly.

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  4. Someday I'm going to sit on that porch for a spell with you, Ms. Moon . I know that in my heart.

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  5. Last year's growth on the wisteria is all fuzzy and everyday I go out and look close at the buds to see if there's any green yet.

    It's coming...

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  6. Your house is like a dream to me - that wide front porch, the double doors. And when I enlarged some of your pictures, they were outstanding -- amazing, really!

    Oh, and I miss dogwoods -- I'm excited and anticipating your photos!

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  7. Good morning, Ms. M. Your garden makes me happy.

    The bulbs are growing, and I will talk about them until your ears fall off. It's a miracle, a bloomin' miracle.

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  8. I am ready for it! I like the names you've given your chickens, Ms. Moon.

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  9. I'm ready for spring, but we're getting more winter this weekend. Someday...

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  10. Lovely spring morning at your place. I'd like to join the chickens for a tour.

    Tell Mr. Moon I have fence envy.

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  11. I love your home and I have never been there or inside...but those yellow screens and the yellow rocker say Welcome!...yes those pots will be cascading soon enough and the ferns unfurling their new tendrils. Seriously that porch was made for ice tea...or a mint julep....which I have not tried but my Papa he did love them after his first trip to the South....

    Your gate and fenced garden ...can't wait to see what else you do here. Mary, Mary quite contrary ...how does your garden grow?....love that little Nursery Rhyme.

    We had our hens out yesterday in the warm sun..oh but they were happy...we just have to watch out for the coyotes that roam here...

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  12. Thanks for showing us how spring is springing in Florida. Loved the photos.....And I really loved the photo of your front porch. I swear to you, I can hear the wood thumping under my feet and an occasional squeak you get from wood when you walk on it.......Makes me happy

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  13. your fence/gate looks fabulous!

    and that porch? it looks perfect for some evening(or anytime!) porch sitting.

    sidebar: I'm not new, just changed blogs/names. formerly lesbo :)

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  14. oh, those are beautiful pictures.

    Like Kathleen above, I have fence envy! Actually, I just plain have yard envy.

    I have been meaning to say also that I just love love love that picture of Elvis you've got at the top right now. What a handsome man.

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  15. Oh I wish I wish I wish I wish ... Send the warmth up here on waves of wishes for me. I beg...

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  16. Rebecca- Oh. If it's not exactly bursting here, it will be very soon.

    L&L- I think that "sturdy" may be the proper word for that gate.

    DTG- I know what you're saying. And if you're lucky enough to have a garden and can be sittin' on your haunches weeding it in this sweet warm/coolness, it is even better.

    Deb- I am easily found.

    Stephanie- Me too!

    Elizabeth- Hold on. The dogwoods are coming.

    Nancy C- I feel like I'm so boring. But those of us who go outside and worship the buds- well, we know.

    Ms. Fleur- Me too!

    Angie- The picking of chicken names must be done with great pondering, I think. Although I do love the names my niece and nephew gave to two of them: Shaylala and Sookie.

    Rachel- I would die.

    Kathleen Scott- I will tell him.

    Ellen- We have coyotes and foxes but the chickens are safe and snug at night in their coop. And can you believe I have never had a mint julep in my LIFE?

    Rebecca- It is a blessing to walk on old wood floors.

    notjustafemme- Okay! Well, I knew that but then forgot. Dang. I'm old. And yes, lots of good porch sitting here.

    Jill- He's a fine bird, isn't he? Mr. Moon keeps saying he's going to take him to the fair next fall.

    Glimmer- Can you feel me wishing?

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  17. Hi, I missed you. Thx for sharing the pics.

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  18. You and Mr Moon are quite the pair. Love these last posts (Script, Time Shifts) sharing glimpses of your relationship. There is real comfort in the company of someone with whom you can stretch out next to in the warm dirt of your shared garden.

    That is a finely crafted garden fence and gate and beyootiful pictures, Ms Moon. Good work both of you!
    x0x0 N2

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Tell me, sweeties. Tell me what you think.