'Subtle' Signs of Spring: Inside and Out

Overwintered Supertunia Vista Bubblegum

Zinnia seedlings (Z. elegans hybrids)

Overwintered Gerbera Daisy hybrid

Lettuce seedlings under the coldframe

Hellebore buds (Helleborus orientalis)

Daffodil buds (Narcissus spp.)

Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno')

Unknown (Allium?) ... What did I plant here?

More Hellebore buds (Helleborus orientalis)

Rhubarb (for future pie :) )

Goodbye Ice: My Winter Walk-Off

Les at A Tidewater Gardener annually hosts a Winter Walk-Off meme, and I've participated several times. I frequently find myself heading down to Lake Waubesa, which is only a couple of blocks from my house. It's interesting to look back at previous posts and see the conditions of the lake at this time of year. The local news folks are now talking about the end of 2018 ice fishing and the beginnings of the boating season.



One thing is different this year: We have a new boardwalk trail, which I posted about last fall and I can't wait to hike repeatedly this spring, summer, and fall. It's really quite wonderful. I've walked it a few times during the winter, and recently took a walk along it for Les's meme.

As you'll see, the shoreline was pretty in the bright afternoon sun. Also, the waterfowl and the ice-fishers were plentiful--within short distances of each other!























Yes, it won't be long now until the boaters take over the lake! Happy spring! And thanks to Les for hosting this excellent meme!

Spring Break at Balboa Park's Desert Garden

Back in March 2016, we had a family event in San Diego, so we made a vacation of it and did some sightseeing and exploring on the side. I've done a few previous posts on San Diego's botanical highlights.

Today, I'm focusing on Balboa Park's Desert Garden. I honestly only spent about two or three hours touring Balboa Park, and although there's much, much more to explore on a return trip, it's astonishing how many amazing treasures I discovered. Note that very few of the Desert Garden plants were marked (and I'm less familiar with these), so please correct me if I've identified them incorrectly.

The Desert Garden and Rose Garden are set off a bit from the rest of Balboa Park.



As you walk the bridge over Park Blvd., you notice that even the medians are planted with lovely xeric plants.



Looking back over the bridge, this offers some perspective--most of Balboa Park is on the other side.



At the edge of the Desert Garden, you get a nifty canyon view overlooking the highway below.



When I was there, the Ice Plants (Delosperma cooperi) were blooming.



A stunning sight to see after four months of bitter winter.



I always notice the lizards when I travel. I know--when you see them all the time, it's not a big deal. But we have only a few lizards in Wisconsin.



This cute, little hummingbird followed me around the Desert Garden. I think it was a rufous, although I didn't get close enough for a positive ID.



This grouping of Golden Barrel Cactuses (Echinocactus grusonii) was impressive framed by Statice flowers (Limonium sinuatum).



Blooming Barrel Cactuses (Ferocactus spp.) were plentiful, too. The yellow flowers were yummy in the California sunshine.



I love the common name of this one: Old Man Cactus (Cephalocereus senilis). It looks soft as a pillow, but be careful! I also like the Oxalis blooms floating in among the grouping: I don't know if this was intentional, but it was pleasant.



The Sennas (Cassias?) were blooming golden yellow, too. I think this is either Senna surattensis or Cassia leptophylla. These two genera seem to be under review and have similar histories and purposes. Anyway, they're glorious in bloom.



No question about the drama and awesomeness of the Torch Aloes (A. arborescens). They seem much at home in San Diego, although they're native to Southern Africa.



How about this awesome Cow's Horn Euphorbia (E. grandicornis)?



Lion's Tail (Leonotis leonurus) seems to beckon hummingbirds.



This grouping was my favorite in the Desert Garden: a beautiful Artichoke Agave (A. parryi), nestled between Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii) and Narrow-Leaf Chalksticks (Senecio cylindricus).

In this cold, wet transition from winter to spring here in Wisconsin, I'm longing for a warm, dry day. These pleasant memories help...a little.

Bliss

Where do you find your bliss? Recently, my mind wandered to the concept of bliss, and I wondered where people I love and care about find it.

Bliss, as described in part by Merriam-Webster is "complete happiness ... paradise ... heaven ..."

Bliss also has been described as completely living in the moment and finding great joy in a simple, singular observation, event, afternoon, or experience ... finding happiness in the present. And in that state of bliss, not obsessing about the past or worrying about the future.

I can't imagine living in a constant state of bliss--not in this life, anyway. But it hits me regularly, particularly in nature and during pleasant times with family and friends. Add prayer to it, and the experience can be pretty powerful.

Most of my moments of bliss are set off by simple, stunning visual cues in nature.



The exquisite beauty of a spring flower.



A butterfly landing on a fluffy plant in the dappled sunlight.



Discovering the simple outline of a leaf under the sparkling snow.

Other times, bliss is more auditory.



Like the sound of spring songbirds.



Or gentle rain dropping on summer foliage.

Often, the bliss experience involves all the senses--sight, sound, scent, taste, and touch.

There are many other catalysts, too, but I don't want to bore you. I want to know: Where do you find your bliss?