April 2015 – Cynthia M Voss

Y is for Yellow Flowers

The first big bunch of daffodils I saw this spring

Some early forsythia flowers

Ranunculus, one of my favorites

Daffodils with peonies growing in between

Some kind of magnolia tree

A daffodil in the hyacinths

Some perky dandelions

It wouldn’t be spring without tulips

These kalanchoe are tropical succulents, not something you’d see outside around here, but they were at the garden center and they made me smile.

Another favorite, marigolds

These are mini daffodils, notice their size next to the tulips

In honor of the letter Y and the color yellow, here is a gallery of some of the yellow flowers of spring that I’ve seen recently.

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I’m participating in the A to Z Challenge for the month of April. The idea is to post every day, except Sundays, and end up with one post for each letter of the alphabet. It’s a good challenge to help me to blog every day.

Along the Old Fishing Path

X is for X Marks the Spot

X marks the spot. Look at any pirate’s treasure map and you’ll see. But without one, you’ve got lost little pirates.

Are we there yet?

Where do we start?

Are we there yet?

How will we know when we get there? Will there really be an X?

Are we there yet?

As their Captain, I try to play it off that we have no map.

Are we there yet?

I think we’ve passed this stream before. That cliff looks familiar. Are we going round in circles? Was it a left at the skull-shaped rock?

Are we there yet?

I can’t let them know that I’m floundering. I should do something before one of them calls my bluff.

Are we there yet?

Feeling the inevitable mutiny creeping up like the tickle of an oncoming sneeze, I come clean and launch into a rousing speech that stirs the hearts of my crew about our destiny being unwritten, and that it’s up to us to find it together, and how we never really needed a map after all.

The words feel hollow, but I do my best to sound convincing. If I can get them to believe, maybe they will light the way.

Onward, me hearties, our treasure awaits!

Aye-aye, Captain!

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W is for Waterwheels, Watermelon Bench

waterwheel on river next to red building — This waterwheel seemed to be for show. Or perhaps it will turn if the river rises?

I saw two waterwheels in my recent travels, which is two more than I’ve probably seen in the last two years. The first one seemed to be for show, but it’s possible that it could turn if the river rises.

I also loved the brown building next door and the haphazard way it seemed to be extended and extended out over the river. Why not build up? If they needed more space just build another story, no?

The second waterwheel did turn because of the stream that was diverted over it. The wheel turned once, twice, then seemed to get stuck for a few seconds every third turn. The green slimy growth on the wheel is both icky and kind of cool.

water turning a wooden waterwheel — This wooden waterwheel was actually turned by the running water.

I also came across this cute bench that was painted like a watermelon. Kind of odd to think of eating watermelon while there is snow on the ground, but still a fun, unexpected pop of color.

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V is for Vegetation, Dried

At the garden center, in the back of the last greenhouse in the row, hung these dried flowers and branches. It seemed to be where someone kept unfinished projects. Stacked and broken pots, boxes, storage bins filled with sticks, shelves piled up under hanging dried plants filled this last section of the greenhouse. Even though it wasn’t roped off in the least, and there were rows of fruit trees for sale just behind the workbench, I still felt a little bit like I was intruding; spying on someone’s plans, my presence disturbing the unrealized potential of all these materials.

The garden center wasn’t in full swing, which surprised me. I thought it would have been full of people eager to get spring started, but maybe it’s still a bit too early. I expect this space will be cleared out to hold merchandise as the season gets underway.

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Was It You?

mourning dove perched on roof — I know what you did.

Are you the one who woke my kids up so early with your mourning and your cooing? If you do it again tomorrow, be a deer and get them breakfast. Or a dove, whatever.

U is for Underwater Buddy

blue crayfish in pet store fish tank — Hey, little buddy!

Back at the pet store, I saw a few blue crayfish. There were no white ones this time, like I saw on my first trip. (I realized that I used the title Colorful Ocean Creatures and that crayfish are actually freshwater critters.)

It got me thinking about blue crabs and how delicious they are. I hope there isn’t another shortage like I discovered last year, and that crab cannibalism is being kept to a minimum in the Chesapeake Bay. I can’t believe it’s been more than a year since I’ve gotten my crab fix. I hope to fix that this summer.

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T is for Trees!

Yes, I have been obsessed with photographing tree blossoms this spring. I’m aware of it. And I’ve been really enjoying it! I even climbed a tree to get a better view, inspired by comments on a recent post.

View of the lake from inside the tree

Dark pink tree framed by light pink branches

View of the blossoms from inside a tree

I climbed the tree in the middle, the lightest pink

Some species of magnolia blossoms

The sign said this is a magnolia stellata centennial

One little cherry blossom and one about to bloom

Here is a gallery of some of this week’s blossoms. They won’t last much longer, but that’s what makes them so special. We have to enjoy them while we have them.

As I’ve been taking so many pictures, I’ve been trying to identify some of the trees. Some I know are cherry trees, but others could be some other kind of flowering tree. If you have any theories or know for sure, please comment and help me figure this out 🙂 Thanks.

Happy Arbor Day!

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S is for Sprouts

These are my spouts that I’ve been nurturing for a week and a half. I’m worrying about them surviving the night, as we are expected to get temperatures near freezing. I’m thinking about covering them with a blanket to keep the chill away, or should I bring them inside? If I bring them in, will the temperature difference be too great?

lettuce sprouts — This densely populated region of the lettuce container is evidence of the kids’ enthusiastic “help” with the planting.

I’ve never had this problem with the weather with my container garden. I usually wait a couple more weeks into the year before planting seeds, but then I usually wish I had done it earlier. This year I actually do it earlier but now am worrying about the weather.

carrot sprouts — The carrots are taking their time.

Oh well, it’s always something. If they don’t make it, I’ll just have to replant. I have plenty of seeds.

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R is for Riding Out the Storm

raindrops on pink cherry blossoms — Raindrops on noses and whiskers on kittens

The storms that trudged through our area yesterday did not take down all the pretty blossoms, as I’d feared. The trees rode out the storms with more grace than children and bloggers who didn’t want to stay inside all day.

This morning, well after sunrise, one more quick rain squall stopped by long enough for us to doubt our plans for the park. But, happily, it all breezed away and the weather was nice for the rest of the day.

storm clouds, blue sky and tree blossoms — Tricky spring weather. See you later, storm!

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