The sky is a gathering of storms, the river is a casting of jewels, the air is a punishing of all things that long to stand straight and tall, the moon is a waning of all things cold and brittle
The redbuds are in full bloom, both flavors, the Eastern and the Okie. Even the one I transplanted as a sapling several years ago has decided to join the chorus for the first time this year. Crabapple, Cherry and Tulip Trees are all parading their gowns up one street and down the other. The Earth holds its greenbacks up to the light for inspection, just to make sure Spring is real
Six long days without writing, but the main bed wall is repaired, incorporating the new trellis system for the raspberries, and the garden is mostly in. Four tomatoes – two Celebrity and two Jet Star, and four peppers – Serrano, Jaleneño, and two bell peppers. Four new chive bunches because what I bought as chives last year turned out to be garlic chives, a horrible plant, terribly invasive and serves as neither garlic nor chives
The herb garden mostly got reborn last year after three years of neglect from building out and running the stores. The thyme and oregano got well established, and one of my rosemarys survived the winter – I planted three varieties as a test. Today I added a second French tarragon, because last year’s is alive but struggling. I put in two Italian parsleys because it’s Mary’s favorite herb, and one curly parsley in honor of Mom, because she grew one every year. Sage, winter savory, chamomile and dill are the rest of today’s additions, and that’s really all the room in that bed. I have another small bed that I will seed in basil once it gets really warm
I see the cycle up close, I always have. I follow its lead and listen when it speaks to me. I dress the past in robes of royalty and affirmation. I bring the present shiny trinkets and bits of starlight. I hold the future up to the sun, to see if it is real