Signs of Spring

Here she comes. Where I a poet I'd craft an ode or sonnet in her honor. But as I am not I must content myself with pictures, proof that her robes are brushing the ground, warming the sap with the passage of her feet.

In our area, pear trees are among the first to bloom. I don't know what kind of pears they are, nor have I ever seen them produce fruit. However, they are a welcomed sight. I love how they stand out from the crowd of still leafless trees. Despite the fact that there could be another freeze or two, pear trees brave the odds. It's like they are calling to us, reminding us, not to give up hope.

I have heard noises in the dead leaves and underbrush, but this big spiny tree lizard is the first one I've seen. He's a good 6 or 7 inches long. I keep wondering where they go in the winter, where they hibernate.

Elbow bush is so called because its branches bend at odd angles and can eventually plant themselves in the ground.

Close up of the elbow bush.

The agarita looks something like a holly and the ends of its leaves have sharp points. The little flowers, not much bigger than an eraser head, exude a heady sweet aroma that permeates the air. Bees love it and it makes excellent honey. The berries also make wonderful jelly, though harvesting them is a prickly task.

Agarita bushes can get quite large. This one is about 3 feet tall and 5 feet across.

And this is the first blue bonnet to appear in our yard. It isn't fully opened, nor will it be the only one.

Lastly we went for a drive on Saturday in Abilene, our 1957 Chevy. The local high school football team is called the Antlers. Their mascot, since 1932, has been Scrappy the Deer. This sculpture, built entirely of scrap metal, is dedicated to the school.

Here I am at a place called Wildseed Farms. (If you're ready for some eye candy check out their website!) They grow fields and fields of wildflowers and package the seeds. Of course the fields aren't blooming yet but when they do, it's beautiful. Those cacti I'm sitting in front of are metal!

Ahhhh Spring....