Lest you think I am some nature freak know it all, I'm not. I cheat. Yes, I just admitted that I cheat. I use Anna Botsford Comstocks's Handbook of Nature Study.
It's fun to go out in your own yard to see what is coming alive after a long and cold winter. The pageantry begins as the bulbs vy for first place in the Miss Bulb of America Pageant. Here we have Miss. Tulip. A bit of a late bloomer 'round these parts but see the flower bud nestled down in the center of the plant? The three green segments you see are called sepals. As it grows and becomes taller those green sepals will turn the color of the flower. Then, and only then will we see Miss Tulips true colors. We'll be keeping a close eye on her.
My most favorite of all spring bulbs, Miss Hyacinth. She is the most fragrant. She smells absolutely gorgeous! Again, close to the ground in the center of the plant and you can see the tiny segmented green sepals. This little lady doesn't mind being round and plump. In fact, she feels the rounder and the plumper she is, the more she has to offer. Her platform is eating disorders.
Here we have Miss Daffodil. She's quite the contender as she is quite slim and colorful. She and Miss Hyacinth have been at odds with each other on "slender and sexy" vs "round and healthy".
Miss Daffodil is one of the early bloomers around these parts and as you can see, is already sticking her neck out there vying for first place. It's going to be an exciting competition..... ultimately, we all know each contender wants world peace and it isn't about how they look in their bathing suits.
Getting to the heart of the matter is what this contest is all about. It's about bulbs and not just looking at what is on the outside....
But also what is on the inside.. that is what truly matters most.
Well, that and teaching little ones that they can come and get mommy and show her signs of spring instead of ripping off branches and bringing them to mommy...... Until next time, this is your host Balinda, reporting live, on the Miss Bulb of America Pageant.
Miss Daffodil ALL.THE.WAY!!!
ReplyDeleteNat, Oh that is just so typical! Everyone goes for the tall, skinny, blond, early bloomers! ;)
ReplyDeleteI Wandered Lonely as a Cloud
ReplyDeleteby William Wordsworth
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine,
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed - and gazed - but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
'NUFF SAID! ;)
Nat, Way to hide behind a famous poet. :D
ReplyDeleteJody, The lilac used to be my all time favorite spring flower until I planted and smelled the hyacinth. I still love my lilacs but man, the hyacinth..... can't be beat. I love that you plant one indoors each spring. I need to do that!
I LOVE seeing the grass getting green, the buds on the trees start, and the flowers begin to poke their green leaves out of the ground! As much as I enjoy winter, I'm ready for spring!
ReplyDeleteChastina, Spring and Fall. My two favorite seasons. The changing of the guard of seasons.
ReplyDeleteI'm very satisfied, aesthetically, by your choice of the word, "pageant." I'd have used it differently, in more of a non-current way. Traditionally, a pageant is a slow, unfolding, thing of huge proportions. Like a giant, slow parade coming into a town square, filling up the square as it comes - with dignified people slowly swinging banners and making way for the splendor to follow.
ReplyDeleteSo yeah - it works for m. Except at this moment when it's too slow and there's sleet falling outside.
Kristen, Moaning........ lamenting....... I KNOW! I've such plans to get out and work in my yard! But not today. Don't feel especially well and this rain/sleet/snow stuff........ bleck.
ReplyDeleteSo, I'm sitting in front of the fire wrapped up in a blanket. Not a bad place to be.