S P R I N G
Spring arrived this year like a lamb--emerging slowly with grace and beauty.
Blooms seemed to last forever, delicately opening to reveal a magical place deep within that remained for longer than usual.
Beth of PlantPostings hosts Lessons Learned for each season.
Appreciation
This deliberate and gradual emanation of spring has taught me to appreciate every aspect of the season for I was able to see each and every petal, to breathe in all the aromas, to hear the raindrops on the leaves. A spring that saunters in with a pause here and there is a spring I can devour with my senses. Although I will attempt to accept whatever speed nature intends for each season, I will always yearn for a spring such as this where I can wallow in all of the beauty and elegance presented.
Patience
With a slow emerging spring comes the lesson of patience. Flowers open more slowly. Trees leaf out to the tune of an adagio tempo, sleepily moving forward. As I savored the gradual pace of spring's materialization, there were times when I was anxious for some aspect of the spring I knew from past years. Taming my yearning for something more quickly taught me to sit back and let nature work in its own time.
S U M M E R
And now comes the season of summer. After having experienced the moderate pace of spring, I am curious as to how this summer will emerge. Summer is usually hot and dry and somewhat of a rest for this gardener who spends much time preparing the garden in spring. Will there be rain? Will there be drought? Will there be heat or will cool breezes waft through the branches to relieve the garden for a moment?
No matter what summer brings it is welcome and a time for relaxing in the shade and watching all the lovely bursts of life in the landscape. Summer brings lazy days of drinking lemonade on the patio, slow rambles by the creek catching a glimpse of dragonflies, and early warm mornings listening to birds awaken and stretch through the sky.
Donna of Gardens Eye View hosts Seasonal Celebrations.
© copyright 2013 Michelle A. Potter
Michelle: This post is so moving! What a great lesson. I need to remind myself about patience, and appreciating each moment of life. You're so right about the joys of a slowly unfolding spring! Thanks for joining in the memes!
ReplyDeleteHi again: I posted the "Lessons Learned" wrap-up this morning. Cheers!
DeleteThank you very much, Beth. I always enjoy participating in your lovely meme. I just read your post and it is wonderful what so many have added to the conversation. Thank you, again, for hosting.
DeleteI concur...fabulous post to remind us all to savor the moments each season as they unfold...your summer reflections remind me of my childhood in Indiana. I look forward to rekindling those memories and savoring life...thanks Michelle for joining in!!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Donna. I love the pleasures of summer, and there are so many memories from childhood. Thank you for hosting.
DeleteWonderful words, 'Appreciation', we are so happy to be able to admire and appreciate the wonders of nature. And 'Patience', that is sometimes a bit difficult, haha. Summer has a good start here in The Netherlands, today we have the first lovely warm day, I hope it will not be the last.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have many warm days to come. The heat of summer has been attempting to arrive, but he cooler weather prevails. I am very glad, but I know the heat is coming.
DeleteI felt so inspired by this post that I took some time out to sit, stare and appreciate. As I watched a barn owl swooping low over the field in front of our farmhouse and the mist (a textbook temperature inversion)rolling in, I ceased to worry about plants knitting together and the new scheme I am working on. I would need a personality transplant to learn patience, but your lovely thoughts made the kind of impression which allowed me to create a memory of this magical June evening. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHow nice! As I read your comment, I was sitting with you enjoying all of those lovely pleasures of nature. I hear the owls, but do not often see them very close. What a wonderful experience!
DeleteThis past spring really was one to savor slowly, although I found that I was impatient for it to spring forward at the speed in which I have become accustomed. I am hoping that summer will be as soft and gentle with us as spring was! Great post.
ReplyDeleteI, too, hope summer is as soft and gentle as spring. I have now been indoctrinated to a slower and gentler pace, and it will be somewhat difficult to change that. :)
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DeleteA fine meditation on a slow spring and the transition to summer in the garden.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It has been a spring that spoils me for any other spring.
DeleteBeautiful words as well as photos. You really seem so linked to nature..
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that. I find a true solace in nature.
DeleteWonderful words and beautiful photos! Your flowers are lovely. I love spring but am looking forward to summer. Have a happy day and thanks for the visit!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eileen. The flowers have been so healthy this spring and so far into summer. The mild weather has made that possible.
DeleteNice post! I too find myself impatient with my garden when I see blooms forming in Spring. Nature's clock is not necessarily set to ours, and it always wins. Our Summer is usually very hot and dry, most of my plants can take it though, so I can expect a few will be needing pruning and trimming soon to keep them in check.
ReplyDeleteI need to get out there and so some pruning as well. All the rain we have had has made it all grow and grow.
DeleteBeautiful photos and poetic words. I like the last photo of the sparrow on branch which was rendered in sepia colour.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much. I spent some time watching these sparrows as the fledglings were leaving the nest. They are fascinating.
DeleteOur spring sounds as though it has been pretty much the same as yours - the flowers all lasted a lot longer than they normally do, which is fine by me, but you get to wondering when the next batch of blooms will come along - week by week the garden changes - and the anticipation grows.
ReplyDeleteYes, we have had the same spring. The heat of summer is beginning to come our way. I will miss the mild temps of spring.
DeleteLuscious pictures! I especially love those first three. Nice reflections, thanks for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you enjoyed them. Thank you!
DeleteMy heart is filled with joy seeing these shots! Stunning macros and the details!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Indrani. I am happy you like them.
DeleteMichelle, appreciation, patience, you say the wise words. Will be the rain or snow? I didn't know and it was heavy hail. I was upset: the winter in mid-summer, but some plant (or nature) survived as if nothing happened.
ReplyDeleteNice photo, one of crocus reminded me the first warm days in my garden.
Have a nice week!
Nature does leave us with many questions. I am trying to sit back and observe. It will be a surprise what comes.
DeleteReading your posts is often like reading some daily words of inspiration--I always feel better after seeing your beautiful photography and eloquent narrative, Michelle. It was indeed a beautiful spring, and you've captured it beautifully!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Rose. I am in love with nature and it comes through.
DeleteLovely photos and accompanying words, good you appreciated your moderate pace of spring, we didn’t really have that kind of spring this year – it was more of a slow, cold and never ending experience! Enjoy your summer!
ReplyDeleteA cold spring is no fun, for sure. I hope your summer has more of a welcoming nature.
DeleteI enjoy your unusual perspective of beauty. Happy summer.
ReplyDeleteWarm thanks! I hope you have a very happy summer as well.
DeleteWiosna krótka była w tym roku. Z niecierpliwością czekaliśmy na kwiaty. Mam nadzieję, że lato będzie łaskawe. Śliczne kwiaty pokazałas. Pozdrawiam.
ReplyDeleteSpring was short this year. Eagerly waiting for the flowers. I hope that the summer will be gracious. Beautiful flowers you showed. Yours.
Thank you, Giga. I hope your summer is long and lovely.
DeleteLots of wise word and beautiful photos! I really enjoyed the "real" spring we had and loved all the rain, especially since I didn't have to spend time supplemental watering. Summer has definitely arrived now!
ReplyDeleteOh yes...I have enjoyed not watering as much. We have had enough rain that the rain barrels have remained full for months. The droughts are always so stressful--for me and the garden.
DeleteLovely photos! Yes, it was a slow and beautiful spring in the South. I couldn't believe how long the azalea bloomed - usually they just melt away. I keep waiting for the heat to set in, bracing because of the experience of past years, and it still hasn't.
ReplyDeleteThe heat has come for a few days here and there, but nothing like in past years. I am hoping that whatever heat does come, it will be short-lived.
DeleteBeautiful words to go with your wonderful photos. It's important to stop and appreciate the moments as one season passes the baton to the next :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rosemary. This has been my ideal spring, for sure.
DeleteSpring was definitely slow this year but I enjoyed the extra time. All the extra moisture and cool temps created a lushness hot, dry springs don't offer. I'm hoping this summer won't be too hot/dry. Gorgeous photos!
ReplyDeleteThere is a wonderful lushness this year as a result of our mild spring. I am also hoping for a non-summer.
DeleteI also found myself appreciating Spring this year even more than usual.
ReplyDeleteThat is nice to hear, Alistair. I hope your summer is just as lovely.
DeleteLove your seasonal celebrations, Michelle. Your photographs are stunning, as always! P. x
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pam. It is always nice to hear from you.
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