On magnolias and mindfulness----

[Atticus]

Yesterday morning at first light, the 20 year old magnolia in our back yard still held its blossoms tightly furled. This morning, there are beautiful soft pink blooms all over it---with more to come over the next several days. And, then, in a brief week or so, they will be gone for another year.

At 70, I take note of such natural happenings that my younger self mostly ignored. Today, it seems as though honesty requires that I confront the truth that, in the grand scheme of things, nothing that happens in my world will be more significant---certainly not more beautiful---than this magnolia tree displaying its ephemeral miracle to me.

Have a peaceful spring Sunday.

[lark]

1. Happy peaceful Sunday to you a well.

I was just thinking the same thing about a few weeks of spring here in Northern FL. First there's the azalea weeks where my 2 huge bushes just erupts in beautiful magenta flowers and all around me the area turns pink and white with all the blooming azaleas. It's definitely the best weeks of the year here, so pretty in my old neighborhood. Camellias around here have different blooming times, so they are showing their finery for months. Mine is late blooming, so starts at the end of Jan. and blooms abundantly for a month. AFter that, it's Yesterday Today and Tomorrow time at the end of March. i have a bush my mom started for me over 30 years ago that has been in my yard ever since. It's glorious right now, absolutely covered with 3 different shades of purple flowers. Wish I was more techie so I could post a picture here for your enjoyment.

[MineralMan]

2. The street trees on my block are ornamental crab apple trees.

Before most of the other trees are leafed out, those crab apple trees bloom spectacularly. For about three days. Then, the white flower petals fall like snow, filling the gutters and sidewalks. In a couple more days, it's all gone.

The flowering crabs are our first sign of actual Spring, along with the dandelions in our lawns.

[IndyOp]

3. Yes! I was just saying same thing to hubby a day or so ago -

The yellow daffodils will last a while, but magnolia blossoms last only a few days. We are having a wet spring, so they may come and go even more quickly this year than usual.

Beautiful!

[Sherman A1]

4. I too enjoy the moments that age allows us to respect

for what they are and enjoy watching the birds build a nest in a shrub, the flowers bloom and a beautiful quiet sunrise as I drink my coffee.

Peace!