Birdsongs

Forsythia Buds

As an early-riser, I am always delighted when my early morning quiet time is blessed with the background music of birdsongs. These notes begin playing during this time of year: The very early stages of Spring. When the Forsythia begins to bud and the Daffodils are sticking their heads up, the Phlox are beginning to host their buds and the trees begin to start their adornments.

Butterflies!

Although I couldn't find photos from my personal files of Monarch butterflies, I spotted this one and remembered the hot, August morning I spotted this butterfly. It was during my morning walk (yep, I often walk and hike with my camera ...) and it was such an unexpected blessing. At first I assumed it was wounded in some way as butterflies don't often remain on rural, chip-and-sealed roads ... However once I was able to photograph it, it took off in flight! It was a special gift.

During the summer months, I often enjoy quiet moments just photographing my garden visits by insects and birds and such. It is relaxing to watch how my "digging in the dirt" proves beneficial far beyond me, personally. :-)

• Migration Update

Winter Garden Break is Over!

My Ponder Chair ...

February 1st is my unofficial end to my winter (dormant) garden break which typically begins the first week in November. The holiday times and settling into the new year precede this time of garden planning. It just seems appropriate to begin now.

Each time I walk through my gardens during this dormant time of year, I am inspired with ideas and visual arrangements — even as neutral and muted tones are the rule of the day. I remember the summer before ... and the summers before that ... Colors, arrangements, blooms and new plantings.

Gardening offers me the opportunity to authenticate the seasons of change, of growth and of dormancy. It teaches me the importance of pruning, planting — and transplanting! So, today marks the first day of my 2008 Gardening Adventure!

I celebrated by subscribing to Country Gardens. It has been several years since I subscribed to any magazine but I decided that perusing my Country Garden magazine, during mere "moderately active" garden years, will bridge the gap between now and the time career training and graduate school are completed.

Life begins on the day you start a garden. ~Chinese proverb