The thing I love most about this time of year is the tangible pulse of life running through everything. The plants are arising, unfurling, awakening, so much is happening and yet there is no effort involved, no one is managing it or controlling it, life is fulfilling its own purpose all around us.
So often I am forced to stop and acknowledge that all the lessons I need in life are there in nature, taught to me by my garden or the hedgerows, implicit in the rising sun or the waning moon. Life just is, and we are nothing but life.
Though there isn’t much in flower right now, there is still so much variety in shape, form and colour in my little garden, each bud unique, none more beautiful or better than the other.
I love watching the first leaves of seedlings appearing and then seeing how they differentiate later on. The first leaves that appear are actually cotyledons, part of the embryo, so they look similar in all dicot plants. The next two leaves to appear will have characteristic features of the particular species. If you look at the borage seedling below you can see that the first two leaves are plain where as the later ones have the characteristic furry, furrowed look of a borage leaf.
Each new leaf displays both beauty and function as the sun illuminates veins and cells. Unlike people, plants have no problems being completely themselves and displaying their vulnerability without attachments.
I love to watch the new buds open on the forget-me-nots and lungwort (pulmonaria officinalis) and observe the freshness of the new seasons growth on the more subtly hued plants like lavender.
And what is more perfect in nature than unfurling ferns? Each one follows such a distinct pattern yet no two are alike. Like nature, like us who are no different to nature, they stand on the knife edge between order and chaos.
Such beautiful writing and astounding images, as usual 🙂 It is amazing this time of year, to see all this growth and transformation happening – and to be reminded of how miraculous life really is. I love what you say about all the lessons one needs to learn being there in nature, waiting for us to observe, to look closely. So lovely, my dear.
XOXO
D
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I know, everything feels so vital doesn’t it! I almost forget what Spring is really like as we draw to the end of winter so it always feels a bit like new every year.
Much love xxxx
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This is my favorite time, for many of the reasons you listed here, and you put it into words wonderfully. I love to just meander in the secret woodland places for signs of life. It’s a sense of anticipation, too. And at this point it’s purely enjoyment. There’s nothing for me to do; not much weeding, no pruning, no harvesting. Though I did just come in from planting some strawberries. Couldn’t delay the gratification of digging in the dirt any longer. As always, beautiful photos.
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Thanks Lisa. Yes, it’s such a lovely time of year in the woods and the garden, full of possibility and anticipation as you say. Strawberries are the best aren’t they, and now all that lovely fruit to look forward to!
Take care x
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A hit again! “Life just is, and we are nothing but life.”
Love your writing and photography.
Sunny regards, Mariëtte >Everything is energy!
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Thank you Mariette,
I hope you are also enjoying the flow of spring in your part of the world! x
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Yes, I surely do enjoy spring! All fresh colors in green and yellow and of course the tulips start to bloom now :-))
Are you interested in joining us at http://www.ipps2012.com? International People Plant Symposium in the Netherlands at the Floriade. It’s an absolutely unique combination for people and plant enthusiasts from all over the world.
I am member in the organizing committee and it will be fun to meet each other.
Sunny regards, Mariëtte > Everything is energy!
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Gorgeous photos, Lucinda. So true what you said about plants being completely themselves, without attachments. I suppose one of the reasons we are so drawn to them:) big hugs and much love to you xxx
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Yes and one of the reasons they are such great teachers and healers too.
Love to you, the cats and the buzzing bees xxx
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Beautiful (both pics and prose) as usual!
Michael
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Thanks Michael. “)
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Beautiful photos of spring leaves and buds, I love the Rosemary flowers.
I hope the weather thee is not so dreatful as here in Belgium.
Hugs,
Rita
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Hi Rita,
The weather has been so changeable here, one moment rain and fierce winds, the next blue skies. It is the time for April showers though. 🙂
x
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