Today’s blog is inspired by a conversation I had this morning with Ruthie, my son’s mother-in-law.
Up pops the crocus leaves Tiny sprouts of green Signaling winter’s end – A very welcomed scene.
Only in snowy places Do crocus flowers grow. What makes that a fact? I’d really like to know.
So I checked it out With a quick click or two And learned about this flower. Does its beauty attract you, too?
In her article about gardening, Marie Iannotti wrote the following about crocuses: “Growing from bulb-like structures called corms, crocuses are low-growing perennial plants from the iris (Iridaceae) family. In many regions, crocus flowers (Crocus spp.) mark the arrival of spring. These early bloomers can often be seen peeking up through the snow well before any other flowers appear on the landscape. They grow in a range of conditions, including woodlands, coastal gardens, and suburban lawns. Bloom colors on the tube-shaped flowers include mauve, lavender, and yellow. …”
The crocus in our yard are this gorgeous color of lavender. I wasn’t aware that they also come in mauve and yellow, are you?
My daughter-in-law’s mom, Ruthie, grew up in Switzerland and has lived her adult life in southern California. Speaking with her this morning, telling her about the crocus that are popping up in our yard, she said, “I haven’t seen a crocus since I was a child in Switzerland. They only grow where there’s snow.”
That got me thinking and wondering … and as you read above, they actually grow in a range of conditions. I intend to send her a few “corms” as an Easter gift next week – and I will be very curious to see if they will grow in her yard. She lives not too far from Los Angeles … certainly a place where snow is not expected! But, Marie Iannotti included “suburban lawns” as a place they grow, so we’ll see.
Not quite the same as her Swiss mountainside, huh?
What are some things that you might expect to see only in snowy places?
Let’s find a few images that come to mind:
I love snowdrops. We don’t have any of these in our yard. Gotta remedy that!!
I did a little research on these flowers too, and learned this from Longfield Gardens’ site: “Like other spring-blooming bulbs, snowdrops use their foliage to generate energy for next year’s flowers. Resist the temptation to cut back the leaves or mow them down while they are still green. Within a couple weeks, the foliage will yellow and melt away on its own.
When snowdrops are growing in a location that suits them, the bulbs will multiply and can eventually carpet a large area. The bulbs don’t mind being crowded and rarely need dividing. If you want to move some bulbs to a new area or share them with friends, dig and divide them in early spring, right after flowering and before the foliage begins to yellow. Handle them carefully so the foliage stays attached to the bulbs, and get them back into the ground as quickly as possible.
You may find it takes a couple years to establish large clumps of snowdrops, but once the bulbs have naturalized, you will have flowers every spring for generations to come.”
What springtime flower inspires you?
I hope your home is blessed with a colorful, sweet smelling, beautiful gift of flowers today.
If I could send you a few “corms” as an Easter gift, I would!
Bee well! I send you my love and hugs this day. Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
Procrastination – Is it an issue with you? I have mastered it!
I’ll get to it next. That”s just what I tell myself. But, when does next come?
I often delay Doing what needs to be done – With good excuses.
Is that familiar? And I’m not the only one. Bob knows that routine!
“Just put a towel out – It will soak up the water. I am going skiing.”
That’s two years ago. A sump pump is what’s needed. Will a snow fence work?
This is it last week – After putting up snow fence – Before last snow fall.
Please get me a towel To soak up the melting snow Before it warms up!
Procrastination Lives in my part of the world Inside – not just out!
No, not my office – But it certainly could be. Mine’s almost as bad!
Do you have places That you are sure to avoid? Rather do your blog?
You are not alone. It’s an immortal problem. Procrastination!!
The Bible addressed the issue:
“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God… is with you.”
1 Chronicles 28:20
Pray for God to help You and me do what we must That we’re avoiding.
Get it off your chest. Step up – Act wholeheartedly – Just tackle the mess!
I promise I will – After finishing coffee. Hah! Ignore the mess…
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today. Now, go get busy!! See ya tomorrow (God willing)
P.S. By the way, did you realize as you were reading this that every three line stanza is a kind of Haiku with a syllabic pattern of 5-7-5? If you didn’t that’s OK. It means I didn’t force it. That was fun!
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Thank you for continuing to pray for Bob as we work together trying to get the medication he needs for his heart ailment. Did I tell you that after co-pay the first month of the medication costs over $3,000 ?? Pray that we can get assistance from Pfizer, the manufacturer of the medication, OK? This is a life-saving treatment plan that we need… God knows that!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek See ya tomorrow (God willing)
No reason to be afraid! Take peace… He’s in control!
Where do you find your peace, my friend? Ihope it’s in your heart today! Let faith rise up in you…
Where’s the perfect place to celebrate a birthday if you live in Montana? Well, Big Sky, of course!
And what’s the best way to celebrate in Big Sky when you get there? With a friend who shares the same birthday, of course!
It was their first trip up to Big Sky through the Jack Creek Canyon … and the day could not have been prettier for the trip!
I hope your Tuesday was a Terrific as ours. Do you have a birthday to celebrate this end of the year? If so, I hope you do something memorable.
Have a Happy last week of 2020… time to kick it off, too!
Where would you like to kick 2020 off to while you welcome 2021? A beach in Hawaii might be nice!
Thanks for visiting Big Sky with me vicariously today. We all need to look forward to a safe, healthy 2021 I wish you could travel here for real. We’ll take you up Jack Creek Canyon!
In my journal yesterday, I created a six stanza Haiku. It’s where I’m comin’ from on this day when I delivered Bob (my sweet husband of 58 years) into the hands of a surgeon. It’s a relatively straight-forward procedure… an angiogram to determine any heart issues that were not detected with the x-rays and EKGs. Bob is in good hands… and I am here in the hotel room relaxing:
What is Heaven like? I can only imagine. I see glimpses here.
The help of a friend The love of dear family Colors of sunrise
The pureness of snow Unconditional pet love Hidden surprises
Whiskers of kittens Soft and abundant kisses Marvelous sunset
Magnificent Son The warmth of welcoming arms And eternal rest
Thank you to Curtis Wallace for his gift of photography.
Such joy in flower petals opening – and sunflowers seeking the sun
Thank you, God, for soft and abundant kisses.
Kisses know no age Kisses reach into our hearts Gratefully receive
Magnificent Son Thank you for your sacrifice So freely given
… and eternal rest – That’s where my daddy is now. What is heaven like?
I can only imagine!
Just got a call from the hospital. Bob is out of surgery. Heart looks good. No blockages. No stents needed. Thank you, God, for hearing and answering prayer.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek and praying with me! You’re the best! See ya tomorrow.
Lucille is our ATV. We named our “all-terrain vehicle” after the popular 1950’s to ’70’s comedian, Lucille Ball, because she has a red head and she’s a “ball!” Look carefully at that photo and you can see Bob, TazE (our Boston Terrier), and me… ready to have a Montana springtime ball!
Just as a ship is launched to the sea, Bob & I launched Lucille on the mountains today. It’s not her maiden voyage; she’s a veteran for sure. But it was her first 2020 opportunity to play.
We went with two other couples; It’s a good thing we had them along Because when Bob got stuck in the snow, Rex was prepared for what went wrong
He had a long rope, and equipment galore- So he pulled old Lucille out in a flash. Us gals kept our 6 feet distance and watched. We didn’t want to intrude or do something brash.
This video shows the end of the trial… CG pulled the rope by hand at the end, But Rex used it connected to his ATV To pull Lucille out – way beyond the bend!
We went to the very top of the mountain Where the sky was unbelievably blue – And there we had lunch – a spectacular view – Wish we could share this four-wheeling ride with you!
That snow-covered peak is gorgeous Mt. Baldy. From here, it’s a much different sight Than the way it looks from our house Where it seems rounded and shines ever bright.
The weather could not have been More perfect for this ATV outing. Life in the Montana mountains is grand! Keeps me from sitting home – pouting!
I’m so glad you came to JanBeek today To join our 2020 launch of Lucille. Now it’s time to get in the kitchen; Bob needs a hearty dinner meal.
Today at d’Verse Lillian challenged us. Since we are not able to travel now because of the Covid-19 pandemic, write a poem that takes every one along with us on a trip we have taken in the past. Here are the directions:
Write a poem that is a travelogue of sorts.
2) The TITLE must include the name of the place we’ll be visiting
3) Post the poem to your blog AND add the exact URL for your poem to Mr. Linky below.
4) REMEMBER to either TAG dVerse in your post, or include a link at the end of your poem that leads readers back to dVerse
So, travel with me to Switzerland where or daughter and her family live.
Let’s Go to Switzerland
Switzerland is a wonderland Where visitors love to go. Springtime’s filled with flowers; Winter – with magical snow.
We rode the tram to the top of the Alps And stood on the mountain’s summit. A trail for skiers led to the base, But we stood back; no desire to plummet!
A favorite meal in the state of Valais Is raclette, luscious melted cheese. It’s made with milk from sweet Swiss cows. Come and enjoy a day with us, please!