After listening to a howling wind blow all night long, and looking outside at first light to see that it was indeed still raining, I waffled back and forth about whether or go out and meet the Fairhaven walkers at the Ferry Terminal at 8:00am this morning. Bundling myself up, I forced myself to go, telling myself that if I got there and nobody else showed, I could just slip to the coffee shop with no one the wiser. But no, at least a dozen women were already there when I pulled up at 7:55. Sigh. I got out and joined the crowd, all of us a little amazed that we were actually there!
Our walk was in reality pretty nice, somewhere between five and six miles, out and back. Once we got into the trees, the rain was light and the wind didn't seem so bad. We visited with one another as we kept up a brisk walk, and by the time a half hour had passed, I was warm and extremely glad I had decided to come out. My feet were a little wet from slogging through the wet trails, but I didn't care, I was getting exercise and I felt one hundred percent better once we finished. We headed to a local coffee shop and I got my usual latte, this time with a lovely birdlike design. Or maybe it's a lion, or an angel. Whatever, it was delicious.
After I got home and spent an hour or so connecting with Smart Guy, I decided to write a post about something, not sure what would emerge, but after I went outside to take picture of the rain puddles, I spied two other exciting pictures. Look what is coming up in my neighbor's garden:
If I am not mistaken, in a week or two (or three) I will be seeing daffodils in bloom. It's the middle of February and we are gaining more than three minutes every day, moving towards spring. As I walked back (or actually squished back) to the sidewalk, I spied a bit of pink.
Covered with raindrops and nibbled by somebody anxious for spring delicacies, I believe this is the first primrose of the season. I'm not sure that's what it is, but it's definitely the first flower I've seen in bloom this year. So all this rain, grey skies, and puddles are good, if I just adjust my expectations a bit. Yesterday we had some sunshine, but today and Thursday we have been engulfed in clouds and rain. Figures. Tomorrow is supposed to have some sun breaks, and I'll be watching for them.
One thing I keep forgetting is that when I lived in Boulder, the constant sunshine was a given, like the air, and I never noticed it. Living here, every time the golden sun makes an appearance, I smile and find myself remarking on the beauty around me. Perspective is everything.
:-)
nice...was noticing some flowers today....nice to see...but we are supposed to finally get snow tonight...8 inches maybe...we shall see...good on you for going out anyway and you were certainly rewarded...smiles.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the primrose would make your day! It's also very positive when you go to something like you soggy walk and it turns out to be very beneficial.
ReplyDeleteI doubt we will see flowers till end ofMarch ate the earliest .We are covered with snow today!
ReplyDeleteYour coffee looks yummy.
What a lovely Primrose, the first flowers of spring are always the most appreciated. My brother who lives in Oregon says you have to just do stuff in the rain and make the best of it. Here in Minnesota..we wait for it to clear up and stop raining..rainy days are great days for naps:)
ReplyDeleteLove your thoughts about the sun. I feel the same way. It hasn't worn out its welcome in the Pacific Northwest like it did in Texas.
ReplyDeleteI was just noticing how the days are longer now! Pretty pictures!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting !
ReplyDeleteThe Primrose is just so pretty, and won't be too long before the daffodil heads are waiving :)
Lovely.
~Jo
I didn't realize primroses came out so early. Daffodils didn't peak until early April in Illinois. You guys are so lucky!
ReplyDeleteGood for you for doing that hike anyway. You are my role model.
In south Florida, where we usually have a taste of winter - a cold snap that lasts for a few weeks,everything has been upside down. Our mango trees, which usually start to bloom in April, started blooming in early Feb. Weather here is out of whack.
ReplyDeleteThose daffodil buds look as if they are about to turn to parallel the ground. I would guess sooner rather than later. And aren't the first flowers a joy.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that having forced yourself out you had a wonderful walk.
Hi DJan! I've been expecting to see blooms any day . . . I've got a good bit of green poking through where crocus and daffodils show up each spring. I too am noticing the longer days and reveling in them.
ReplyDeleteOnce the spring flowers are blooming, it brings such a brightness to the world, even through the rain!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on my recent post. It is kind of amazing the connections we have. I'm go glad I've gotten to know you though our blogs!
Your blog makes me wish I had gotten my lazy self out the door this morning!
ReplyDeleteFlowers? You have flowers?? We have 6" of snow!
ReplyDeleteI admire you and your friends who walk and hike. I really do.
ReplyDeleteAnd I like your statement about perspective is everything. It absolutely is.
As the daffodils are springing up and the pinks are blooming, here's hoping that we all have a beautiful spring. I also hope that our summer is as mild as our winter was.
I send you smiles and hope that you have an absolutely wonderful remainder of a weekend and a fabulous week.
Hugs,
Jackie
I'm glad you went afterall, too.
ReplyDeleteI can practically smell the fresh rainy air. Yes, we Pacific Northwesters do appreciate a sunny day, and a drippy primrose, eh?
Yes, as raw as today was, it doesn't stop spring from coming. Primroses are blooming in my garden, and not just the new ones I put in a pot on the front porch, but others that have wintered over year after year. The daffodil buds are emerging out of the cold, wet soil and reaching for the sun.
ReplyDeleteI'll be looking for those sun breaks tomorrow, for my chance to have a good, fresh air walk.
Well done on making the effort to go walking despite those howling winds. I'm sure you enjoyed every mouthful of that coffee.
ReplyDeleteI love daffodils!
Enjoy that sunshine!
We take flowers for granted here in Hawaii, where it is perpetual summer. Glad you had a good time today, DJan.
ReplyDeleteI hope the early flowers mean an early spring. Walking in the rain can be awesome. It makes the coffee taste better.
ReplyDeleteAh, the first flowers of spring. What joy! Here in Utah it's a snowy, gray morning. However, I'm content because little green shoots of grape hyacinths are poking up through the snow in the warm spot next to my house.
ReplyDeleteWould you say you are more aware of your surroundings now that you have retired or do you think being in a different place is causing you to see things and appreciate what is available? My kids continue to be surprised at my delight in living in Nebraska when I did not care for snow before coming here. I watch the sun come out and see snow melting throughout the day and it pleases me, as does it please me to watch birds finding food and water as the snow melts. I have a daffodil bulb in a pot at the kitchen window and the daffodil is growing. I will take a picture when it blooms. Your walk sounds about right for someone like me.
ReplyDeleteDear DJan,
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, perspective is everything. You seem to find a worthwhile and enriching perspective in everything you do.
And yes, that is a primrose.
Peace.
It looks to me like you're be seeing those flower bloom within the next couple of days.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if all the hikers said I'll go and if no one else shows up, I won't walk. Fully expecting no one else to be there. :)
I go out no matter what where I live in washington state it seems to rain from october thru may so if I had to hold my breath waiting to get somewhere when it rains I would not be alive..When we lived in colorful colorado in broomfield and arvada and lived in our sweet home in aurora it was sunny so much I welcomed any kind of snow, rain etc..which was far and few between, I could not get my bearings, never knew east from west, north or south, here it is mainly cloudy but when the skies open up here and blue is the color it is so glorious and welcomed, I like to think it is a sing God still loves the whole state of washington and the town where we live, it is cooler here and sometimes wet, but since we arrived in june 1978 this is the driest non icy, non snowing weather and little precipitation, I worry about the summer being humid and hotter than a cubano pepper or a bird chile, our daffs are shooting upward and our little tiny purple flowers are all blooming, Mother nature is playing a cruel trick on us, if we don't get some rain, our water will be so down there will be mandatory water rationing...go figure when it is mild, we suffer with water shortages!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI truly don't think I could survive without the blue skies of Colorado gracing my life. I'm not one who does well with endless gray days. Even so, no matter is the skies are gray or blue, the sight of an early blooming primrose brings joy.
ReplyDeleteThe primrose is beautiful. My daughter used to live in Denver when her hubby played basketball for the Nuggets. I was always amazed when I visited to see such splendid sunshine in winter. I bet there are times you miss that Denver weather.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got to join the walk on Saturday. When we lived in Portland it always seemed to be raining so I got used to doing things in the rain. It sounds like the winds you had are headed our way.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you found daffodils. I checked my little patch yesterday and so far they are still underground. I love that little primrose, a very nice sign of spring.
Wow! Early for spring flowers!
ReplyDeleteWhen I first moved up here to Fargo-Moorhead the constant wind drove me nuts, to be honest. A still day or even a day with only a slight breeze is a noticeable change. But now, being someplace where the air doesn't move makes it feel stifling and stagnant--LOL! All in perspective and what you adjust to, I guess. ;)
Glad you had a nice walk after all. That latte looks deliciously tempting. :)
True enough. Perspective & attitude determines much. You've got both DJan... :)
ReplyDeleteI'm seeing some violets too, of all things. Glad you had a good walk and that's how it usually goes, doesn't it? Once we drag ourselves out...lol
ReplyDeleteWe have all sorts of lilies and stuff pushing up through the dirt too--it's crazy. I haven't looked over where the daffodils grow yet, but I'm sure they're on the way.
Happy Monday, honeybunch!!
I think I see a dog with a big fluffy collar in the coffee. It is kind of like looking at clouds. Your imagination just takes over.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful primrose!! What a delicate, delicious pink. Oh ya...Boulder. Some say you're close to sky high there. But, I remember some very heavy winds blowing through the Flatirons!! But, no matter-----getting out and walking and getting fresh air is so healthful and helpful!!
ReplyDeleteFlowers in February... just doesn't happen here. But we did hear the male Cardinal singing his spring mating song, yesterday. I think they know something. ;)
ReplyDeleteYour climate seems so much like my own, here in England. I have daffodils and primroses at just the same stage of development as those you photographed today.
ReplyDeleteThe soup looks nourishing. Is it butternut squash?
First signs of Spring, YAY!!!
ReplyDeleteThe wind has been howling all night! Finally gave up and turned on the old gizmo to read :}
ReplyDelete