Monday, April 14, 2014

ditch flower, Catskills



In the country this weekend, the only flowers I saw were these little yellow ones (hawkweed?) growing alongside the ditch. Todd, who's lived there his entire life and grew up on a farm, says it's the latest spring in memory.


It was sunny and warm, though there were still some chunks of ice, and I could almost hear the buds and sprouts forming. I read The Hobbit, and could imagine Bilbo Baggins, who "wished to see great mountains, and hear the pine trees and the waterfalls, and explore the caves, and wear a sword instead of a walking stick" dropping by for tea between goblin and elf adventures.

23 comments:

  1. Hello Jen,

    Oh yes, how we too can imagine a Hobbit type adventure taking place in that glorious landscape. It looks truly magical and the signs of emerging new shoots makes it all the more exciting. Such hope and promise for the coming year and may it bring you all joy!

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    1. Thank you. My neighbor's daffodils opened today, which is such a pleasure.

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  2. Hello Jen, The yellow flowers are coltsfoot, always one of my favorite sights in sugaring season. Later, the green leaves will come out, which supposedly resemble the outline of a colt's foot. The leaves used to be used for tea and even tobacco, but lately have fallen under a pall of suspicion, so perhaps it is best just to leave them be and enjoy their friendly beauty.
    --Jim

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    1. Aha--thank you! What kind of suspicion? I'm intrigued.

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    2. Hi again, There have been some recent reports of toxic chemicals in coltsfoot, but a quick search located no clear and trustworthy information.

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    3. Phew. I won't put them in the salad though.

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  3. So glad you were here to enjoy the gorgeous weekend!

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    1. It was glorious--I'm sure you enjoyed it too.

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  4. My vinca bloomed this weekend, and all of a sudden the magnolias are in bloom. Right out of nowhere, it'll happen there soon.

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    1. Isn't it amazing how one minute it's not there and the next it is? We had a magnolia tree in NJ---lovely. I'm happy your brutal winter is over.

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  5. I do want to wear a sword but alas and alack it shall not be. :) Beautiful water falls Jen, and I always love when the little flowers start popping up here and there. Magical.

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    1. You, Oliver and the sword--swashbuckling through Portland. I like it!

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  6. Spring and Fall are Hobbit times. and maybe Summer and Winter. and tea anytime.

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  7. So that's coltsfoot. The leaves were used as a tonic in olden times. Your waterfall is always glorious. Yes, our wildflowers are blooming all at once, but Mom's daffodils have yet to open. And that is why spring is unpredictable and magical.

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    1. I never thought of it that way, but your'e right--it is the most unpredictable season and the one that brings the most pure joy.

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  8. Spring came in with a bang and a burst of color and scent last week, All the cherries opened as promised and my yard is full of tulips and muscari. the phlox are just beginning to show color and my plum tree is if full bloom.

    Just when we are about to give up and crawl in our caves, spring comes.

    Even to the Catskills. And it will be glorious.

    xo J

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    1. Just seeing the word muscari makes me happy. And plum tree.

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  9. Spring has slowly arrived here too. I sat out in the sun at lunchtime today but the wind still had a distinct nip to it.

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    1. It's been super-windy here too. And now it's cold again. And there might be snow tomorrow. But I'm not whining. Really I'm not.

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  10. beautiful. I'm glad I got to experience a little spring before coming to the UAE. it's my favourite season of the year and I kinda miss the excitement of discovering the first flowers and everything growing and changing.

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  11. "the latest spring in memory"; this spring seems to be special one there in Catshill, and you look enjoying even the late coming spring. Thank you for your thoughtful comment on my blog as usual, Jen.

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  12. Jen, it does sound as if spring is on its way even if you have had a long wait for it this year. Hopefully you will have a wonderful summer.

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