these day lilies have a reserve of energy stored in their bulbs from last fall. they are growing because it’s time to grow, regardless of the freezing, un-spring-like temperatures outside. where is your creative energy stored, that will let you grow when it’s time to grow, and let you ignore the unimportant fluctuations of circumstance?

day lily sprouts

saint paul, minnesota

when the red maple in our back yard begins to burst its buds, that means it’s almost the end of tax season. i just warned my husband that, although he may want to retreat for a few days when his busy season is all done, i have been missing the company of my best friend for too long, and he is going to have to submit to some questions, and some conversation, and some strategizing. sorry honey. i need you right here. go coffee up.

red maple blossoms

saint paul, minnesota

we think of spring as the time to sow seeds. but spring is also reaping season. all those seeds that dropped from trees, and seedheads, and fruits, and berries, and pods, and bracts, are sprouting now. nature is reaping the reward of all that work last summer and fall. the newborn baby, after 9 months, is both the fruit, and the harvest.

wisteria seed pods

st. paul, minnesota

summer, fall, and winter in minnesota all wake up on time. when june, and september, and december arrive, their respective seasons are up and dressed and ready to go. it seems that spring in minnesota is the only late sleeper. the alarm keeps going off, and spring just keeps hitting snooze. as of a couple of days ago, it appears it might just be rolling over in bed, and maybe squinting a little, into the late morning light through the window.

forsythia

turtle lake, saint paul, minnesota

last night i spent the night with friends who’ve been friends since high school. we talked until a little too late, and had a little too much wine, and shared a little too much. five of us. all still married to our first husbands. all middle children. all with reasonable expectations about life. we’re not spectacular. but you put us in a circle together, and it’s still beautiful.

bits and pieces of dried flora