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| Lilac bud from this morning |
Walking home this morning, I spied this almost-ready-to-bloom lilac as I began my trek up our apartment complex driveway. Every year I see these appear as if by magic, with nothing one day and the next, leaves and buds ready to spring forth. Again, I am reminded that while I'm sleeping, or when I'm walking, or sitting quietly in my chair, spring flowers are emerging at breakneck speed. That's what it feels like, anyway.
It's April, after all, and here in the Pacific Northwest all that rain is helping these flowers to "spring forth" in all their glory. Within a week, there will be flowers where this lovely bud now teases me with anticipation. Lilacs have long been a favorite flower, from back in my teenage years when I ordered a shirtwaist dress from a catalog with a lilac-and-leaves print and wore it until it finally gave up. Do they still make shirtwaist dresses? I don't think so, but I remember that one with fondness.
The Tulip Festival in the Skagit Valley began this week, and looking at the Bloom Map, I see it's still early but within another week or so, my friend Lily and I will head down there to see the display. Considering all the rain we've experienced lately, I'm sure that this year will be a wonderful spectacle, a riot of colors and a feast for the eyes.
Last night we had a huge wind- and rainstorm, with what sounded like a train barreling by at close range, but by the time I got up to start the day, it had quieted considerably. Although it was still windy, at least it wasn't that destructive and noisy kind we had earlier. I was dressed for it, and actually thankful that the buds are still waiting to emerge, so they were pretty safe from it all.
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| First local tulips peeking out of the ground |
I saw a fenced garden and peeked through the slats to notice that there are already a couple of early tulips beginning to bloom. Yes, they sprang forth to show that they are getting ready to make a lovely display. It's just the beginning, with much more to come! Yay spring!
:-)
Definitely yay Spring. I am amazed each at every year just how fast she moves when she has got in her stride. Enjoy yours - to the max.
ReplyDeletePretty season. And yes, they still have shirt dresses. I have one...denim. Just a little over a year ago ordered from, where else? Amazon!
ReplyDeleteYou're ahead of us, but still enjoying the daffodils and forsythia.
ReplyDeleteLilacs ready to bloom!? Not til much later here.
ReplyDeleteI can't help but feel so fortunate when all the flowers begin to bloom, yet the remainder of the States are still facing snowfalls. Love the smell of Lilacs, enjoy !
ReplyDelete~Jo
Squalls have been rolling through all day, kicking up some pretty heavy gusts, and then clearing away to blue sky. April showers bring April flowers!
ReplyDeleteI hope that you and your friend Lily have a grand time at the tulip festival.
ReplyDeleteEverybody seems to be experiencing lots of wind this spring. The beginning of greening up is not only visually a treat but also great spring aromas.
ReplyDeleteThings are really taking off there. Here the ice just left the harbour! Lots of snow around here too. Sigh! Enjoy those tulips!
ReplyDeleteWe’re still a month and more before the lilacs.
ReplyDeleteLilacs already, good for you, I can enjoy yours now and ours in 8 weeks:)
ReplyDeleteSpring is so aptly named. It truly does spring on us rather sudden like. Daffodils are everywhere and all the Bradford pear trees are in full bloom, Soon it will be the Dogwood and Redbuds. Ahh.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful, that after a dreary winter, you have all of nature's glory to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThree regular blog posts a week. You are an inspiration. I takes me three weeks to do one post. Enjoy the Tulip Festival … like you said, it should be great this year with all the rain we’ve had.
ReplyDeleteI always loved seeing our lilacs blooming in spring. Sigh…
ReplyDeleteYou are so lucky to have early springs in the Pacific Northwest. My son was driving home to Maryland from Michigan this afternoon and said there was a snow storm on the Pennsylvania turnpike. What was supposed to be a 4 hour trip home turned out to take 6 hours.