Early Spring in Minnesota

~ Early Spring Snowstorm ~

 

This is what I see outside today...5 inches of new snow from an early Spring snowstorm

(and still it's snowing).

The snowflakes are so large,

and on closer view I see what looks to be more than 50 snowflakes clinging to each other.

 

Spring 2013 seems to be coming very slowly to northern Minnesota.

Many are anxious for warmer weather,

as am I.

 

Upon looking back into my diary

 it is surprising to see that Spring 2012 had made its appearance to us

by the middle of March.

On St. Patrick's Day we were spoiled with temperatures in the middle 70's

no snow on the ground, frog croaking, butterflies fluttering past,

 and Spring birds singing. 

The ice on local lakes had all but melted away 10 days later. 

 

Spring 2013 appears to be weeks away from the sightings written above!

 

Thankfully, even though this winter still persists

the Gardens' Keep greenroom has burst into welcoming shades of green.

Potted geraniums, daylilies, and heirloom iris

have joined the resident sage and primrose plants with blooms

in blues, purples, pinks, red, wine, and yellow,

their sweet scents wafting throughout Dragonfly Cottage.

 

~ Gardens' Keep Greenroom ~

 

The plants in the greenroom are such a welcome sight to eyes weary

of barren trees and winter snow,

and provide reassurance that as the days lengthen and the sun strengthens,

Spring truly is on its way!

 

~ Wishing you sunny, warm, whimsical days ahead! ~

:0)



Dragonfly and I

~ The Rose in the Ivy ~

~ The Smiling Dragonfly ~

~ Blue Dragonfly ~

As I walked the grounds of Garden's Keep to capture images of the final beauties of Fall, a small but vibrating noise reached my ears. Curious to find its source, I decided to follow the faint sound. Rounding the corner of Dragonfly Cottage, I approached the sunbathed greenroom, its west wall still neatly rolled back from summer to allow the heat of the sun to escape. Here the vibrating sound became quite clear though steadily lessening.

Stepping onto the greenroom floor I paused to listen. One minute, then two, and the sound came again, this time quite near. A quick t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t, as if a cellophane bag was beating against the walls of the greenroom. My gaze went directly to its source, and there against the transparent wall I beheld a very beautiful, blue and teal dragonfly, who was quickly tiring in his unsuccessful attemps to fly free of the strange room he had ventured into. As he settled on to the last remaining rose to rest, I carefully approached, camera poised, ready to collect images I had desired for quite some time.

After what seemed like many moments of blissful camera clicking, I realized this delicate creature may never find his way out. Ever so slowly, I extended a hand until my fingers touched his thin black legs. Cautiously he hoisted his exhausted little body up to clutch my hand, then very carefully we went together into the open air. Many moments more we stood together, he slowly vibrating his slightly tattered wings, I mesmerized by his beauty, as the golden sun slowly set. It was time for him to be free, and as night was approaching I carefully placed him high onto a secure branch at the edge of the wood, hoping he would be safe and well until morning light gave him warmth to fly off into the autumn sky.

Spring, Beautiful Spring

Campanula in the Greenroom

Beautiful Sweet Smelling Primula

~ A Busy Day ~

author unknown

The bluff March wind set out from home

Before the peep of day,

But nobody seemed to be glad he had come,

And nobody asked him to stay.

Yet he dried up the snow-banks far and near,

And made the snow-clouds roll,

Huddled up in a heap, like driven sheep,

Way off to the cold North Pole.

He broke the ice on the river's back

And floated it down the tide,

And the wild ducks came with a loud "Quack, quack,"

To play in the waters wide.

He snatched the hat off Johnny's head

And rolled it on and on,

And oh, what a merry chase it led

Little laughing and scampering John!

He swung the tree where the squirrel lay

Too late in its winter bed,

And he seemed to say in his jolly way,

"Wake up, little sleepy head!"

He dried the yard so that Rob and Ted

Could play at marbles there,

And he painted their cheeks a carmine red

With the greatest skill and care.

He shook all the clothes-lines, one by one,

What a busy time he had!

But nobody thanked him for all he had done;

Now wasn't that just too bad?