I have nursed and coddled this lilac bush for several years. Last year, it had one tiny bloom, the first since my father dug it and gave it to me.
It is more than just a bush, it is part of my life. When I see it, blooming or not, I am reminded of some of the wonderful women in my life.
My mother, grandmother, aunts and great-grandmother, who had these flowers before me. Perhaps not the same bushes, but the lilacs, their scent, wraps me in rich memories each year.
Tag Archive: outdoors
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Today on our walk, Hubby and I came across a troup of ballerinas, pirouetting just for us.
Clad in gossamer, swaying in the slightest breeze, these delicate ballerinas dance.
I look at them and see not only the beauty in these blooms but the promise of ripe gooseberries to come.
Chubby, tart, basketballs of purple and green.
Sturdy enough not to crush when picked and make a jam or jelly with a distinct tangy flavor.
Two patches endure, and have for 30 odd years, over at the ‘old house place’ where my late mother-in-law first started them.
Over the past few days, we realized that the time has come to get a start on the garden. Realization seems to come with the first sprouts of asparagus breaking through the soil and the discovery of blossoms on the strawberry plants. Growing things signal time to get gardens prepared and planted.
I love the plants and seeds going in and even more the products of all the work.
Sunday afternoon, Hubby and I planted tomato and cucumber seed so those plants will get the needed head start.
Yesterday, a trip out to the local Feed & Seed was necessary. Along with the hog feed we came home with packets of seed. Ready for the correct weather and some tilling to be done.
A shower or two of rain last night has knocked the petals off the fruit trees, under the plums, it looks like white snow, the peach trees have a carpet of pink.
Years ago, our family and many others made frequent trips to this little spring to bring home water for household use. Back then, the water came down a moss – covered wooden trough and flowed across the road to the creek.
Often the kids played in the creek while the adults filled the water containers. I remember more than once, hearing my grandmother say, “I wish we could turn it off, so it won’t run out.”
Spout Spring, B Highway, Reynolds County MO
I have no idea when the trough was replaced by pipe, I had not been there in years, but this morning while Hubby and I wandered about, we thought it would be a good plan to stop by for a drink and a look.
I followed the pipe up under some rocks and found the ‘real’ spring flowing out of the hillside. May-apple umbrella leaves have sprung up around it and some water cress is growing in the tiny pool formed before it runs into the pipe.
We were a lot more conscious and conservative of our water use back then. Each use was considered and each drop accounted for, not like we are today, with a seemingly endless supply at the turn of the tap.
I took an empty water bottle from the truck, filled it and enjoyed a deep satisfying quaff of cold clear water. Ah, the taste, and even more the memories.
These pictures were taken of the plum trees, as you can see by the dates about 2 days difference.
Just barely showing the white of the blossoms.
Fully bloomed and abuzz with insects.
Now for rain and sun to bring a crop.
I like to sew, and someday would like to own my ‘dream machine’. No, it is not top of the line in technology! It is one like I learned to sew on back in the 1950′s.
An old Singer treadle machine.
Spring has arrived and it is the beginning of auction season. We were at one today, there was an older model treadle machine in the sale.
I looked it over and drooled a bit. Even though some parts were missing the machine itself was in working order, and I am sure the bobbin, bobbin case and other parts could be obtained somewhere.
These are in demand I know and I also wondered what had happened to two others that had been converted to tables on top of the metal treadle frame.
I stepped back to watch after the price went beyond my budget, this machine sold for over $400! It was not meant for me this time. Maybe someday, who knows?
Ayoung Amish man, accompanied by four small boys bought it. That makes sense, since they do not use electricity.
I hope his wife gets it fixed and gets many more years of use from it.
In spite of all the fuss, false starts and fury of wind and snow, it appears Spring has arrived on Sunrise Ridge.
How do I know? Well of course, I do not, but the peaches have started to bloom.
peach blossom
Although nothing is planted, the greenhouse is started and work preparing the garden has begun.
A little travel shows that fishermen and women are out, enjoying the warmer days and trying to fill stringers.
Let’s go fishing
Yet, I have not heard the gobble of wild turkeys early in the mornings, and I wait in expectation for it.
The sounds of evening include peep frogs and owls, I remain still impatient for the return of the whip-poor-wills, but these fulfilled promises encourage me.
They will come!
Over the past few days, there have been some spectacular moments here on Sunrise Ridge. I have been blessed to be able to capture some with the camera to share with you.
I hope you enjoy.
incredible sunset
watching the brush fire
The full moon slides behind the trees[/caption]
My daughter in North Carolina called today. She had been out walking some ‘wild’ country and had run across a plant she was curious about.
She gave a detailed description of the plant and I suggested that it was a trillium.
I also suggested that she obtain a North Carolina wildflower/plant guide. She found a resource online and verified that it was a trillium plant. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/wildflowers/trillium_sessile.html
A year ago, My cousin Nancy, sister, Bobbie Jo and I took a day out to enjoy the grandness of Missouri’s early spring. It was much warmer than this spring has been and things were blooming, including the lovely trillium. you can click the link below and read about it.
http://oldentimes.wordpress.com/2012/04/02/the-ladies-day-out-march-31-2012/
