Lens-Artists Challenge #105 – Crystal Springs
Tina’s theme for Lens-Artists Challenge #105 this week is: SPRING
“The promise of spring’s arrival is enough to get anyone through the bitter winter!” – Jen Selinsky
Some may consider the winter in Southern California as mild because there’s no snow. Usually the temperature doesn’t drop below 40oF. Yet accustomed to the warm climate all my life, this mild winter cold still chills my bones. I find not being motivated to do outdoor activities.
“The first blooms of spring always make my heart sing.” – S. Brown
Many of the plants and trees in my garden are perennial that doormat in the winter. The earliest budding appeared on the plum tree. The tiny innocent white buds popped out to sing to me, “Spring is coming.” I made a daily appearance in my garden to search every branch of the plum tree anticipating the delightful blossoms. Within days, the scattered white buds became full covering the entire tree and some popped open the smiling faces. How I wanted them to stay forever!
“The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size.” – Gertrude S. Wister
Flowers spark my eyes and warm my heart. During our trip to see my daughter and her family in May 2018 as a Mother’s Day outing, we visited the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. I wanted to swallow all the beauty of the greenery and vibrant colors and let them forever be alive in me.
The more than 2,500 rhododendrons, azaleas, and companion plants in the garden have all been donated by volunteers and interested individuals, or purchased with specially donated funds. Beginning in early spring and continuing into summer, they provide a magnificent display of color.
“Sometimes the smallest thing takes up the most room in your heart.” – A. A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh
The Canada geese and the goslings feast on the grain and graze on the grass. The field by the lake is a haven to raise the young goslings.
I wrote this poem for my poetry collection Songs of Heartstrings: Poems of Gratitude and Beatitude
In Sync with Spring
Seeds were fallen,
hidden in the soil.
Coldness in the dark
keep them quiet in the ground.
Light and shadow
Gradually shift
to bring the warmth of
sunrays to the earth.
Calling the seeds
to wake up and come forth,
to feel the warm breeze and
smell the fresh air.
Slowly and gracefully
buds pop out,
unfold their petals and
the fragrance they breathe out,
dance joyfully in sync with
spring!
~ ~ ~
The Showers of Blessings 