Spring flowers

There is a cherry tree in the back of the property where my office is located, which is in full bloom right now. The limbs of the tree hang over the parking spaces and one of the limbs of the tree is diseased and shows the ravages of time and weather and parasite. Nevertheless, the tree is now in full bloom with tiny white blossoms with a pink tinge and the bees and other flying things swim through the air around the blossoms. Today, Cindy and Kate drove up to pick up something to take to Dunwoody and say goodbye to me before they left. Kate parked right beneath the tree and I walked up to the passenger side of the car and found myself kissing Cindy beneath the blossoms and among the buzz of the bees. Spring was personified there in the shadows of the tree limbs. The tree is old and is suffering from time's ravages, but it also shows its life quite sweetly at the back of the property.

The blooms of the saucer magnolia are mostly fallen, and the pink and white of the blossoms are fading. For several weeks the saucer magnolia was the primary recipient of Spring's coming and showed the life bursting out on its branches even when it was cool and wet and more Winter-like in feel and impression. Now many, if not most, of the blossoms have fallen onto the concrete parking lot and have provided a thick, slick blanket beneath your feet when you walk to your car.

Today I noticed the blossoms coming out on the dogwood beside the port-cachere on the side of the house. They are early and light green and don't show the full beauty of their glory. On the other hand, there is something tender and sweet about the small green crosses opening on the thin branches. It is ironic that these little green crosses are so early in their development when tomorrow is Maundy Thursday and Sunday in Easter. It seems almost inapropriate that the blossoms are so early but I guess Easter is early this year.

It is time to start cutting the grass and raking the fallen leavings of Winter and early Spring.