By the time that we get to April, we are really ready, winter needs to be over. That said, we know whatever is thrown at us it is brief. There is some comfort in that and I and Isaac got to escape to the West Coast at the end of the month. So complaining seems churlish.
That nasty white lump is the last of the big snow
I have been monitoring the demise of this house on the road to Stratford. It really is going. But look at that wood pile!!!! Wow
As we made our way through the countryside to Lake Huron we saw lots of standing water. Actually it is a melty icemess. I do hope that they have a well tanked basement. That is a lot of water!
The trees are greening and having had a annual obsession to 'get a good Willow' at this time of year. Think I nailed it. They are so vibrant
Open road
and arriving at Bayfield and the lake (Huron). Bit brisk but so worth the drive
Lots of swollen rivers along the way
OOOOH a ladybird in the garden
Lily helping with the leave clearing. This is a fully invested maneuver, I love the technique of making sure she will be able to get the leaves into !!! Just don't take a step
Bought a little house for a kitty. Seems to be an orderly que forming. Archi is in the house and Bella is getting comfortable while she waits for her turn.
Oh my spring time is delightful
All the colours and the flowers, delicate in the lovely sunshine
It was just instant spring
Daffs are just glories and such a welcome sight
Carpets of blue
Dancing flower heads
and enormous catkins
This was someone's front yard, just covered
It really was quite spectacular
For once I manage to get a really straight daff head-on and they are really beautiful. The light shining through, is pure gold
It was just a few days of warmth that did this
Love a painted stone
Varieties of daffs
Maples bursting into life. I love these, they are very celebratory
So you knew that it was too good to be true!!! The white returned and the temperatures dropped.
I hope that the tulips make it.
I had to get another house and Bella agrees
Then we're off the to races again. There is no slowing spring
Magnolias are next on the roster
I don't know what these hairy guys are. They are wild
This is morning and evening, sun and then cloudy. That is a lot of action for these tulips. It is quite amazing that this happens in a matter of hours!!!
More painted stones
I really love the magnolia blossoms
These are the ones, star magnolia that we know as the wedding tree. Something that Lily said many years ago
And a yellow Magnolia. That is just like butter
This Forsythia is just going bananas
This house really decorates this magnolia really well
Blossoms abound
My tulips made it. The most remarkable thing about them is that by the time they are done, they will be orange
A living wall at Vancouver airport
What a view. The mountains are just amazing across from the airport
Back to Bellingham WA and the book conference
They are ahead of us with plants
These tulips are nearing their end
cool wood sculpture
These two cherry trees across from the marina are just getting going
So lovely
Still waters
and the San Juan Islands
Nighttime falls
and this year I get a close up of my Rise and Shine sign. This was a precarious maneuver and reminded me of the True Print advert in the UK from the 70's. Basically don't step back! I had just enough space to take this safely as behind me is water...
in the middle of town and this freight train goes all day
Near the rise and shine sign there are more metal signs. All along the fence. They are children's drawings made into metal signs.
This is what is behind the fence and will be redeveloped.
Trees wash up all the time, this one looks planted!
Big boat! This is still very much a working town
Sad but true...I hope not. Yes that's me
and gentrification of old buildings. Bellingham is turning a corner on redevelopment
and Isaac presenting. Kiffer the organiser of the book conference sees a likeness here for Isaac..and Dante
It was great to travel and to see and experience being with the other writers at the book conference. Isaac and I had a wonderful time. Spring in Washington state was lovely. Although we seemingly brought the good weather and then promptly took it back with us when we left!
I am so pleased the snow didn't stick around. It does make me realise why so many culture's that have heavy winters have so many traditions around spring coming. We over heard people talking, who were from Wyoming, and their snow fall is still going on there. Yes it made me feel like a total whimp. They were taking their time to travel home and good luck to them.
