Lilacs in Bloom
More Lilacs in Bloom
We have several different types of lilacs that bloom at our house in May. These are my favorite–the white rimmed purple. We have some that are your typical lilac-colored lilacs, as well as white ones. They are nice to look at, but better to smell. If I could post their fragrance here, I would post it with no accompanying text or photos. It would be enough.
Leaning Left
Leaning Right
Gathered Round the Tulip
I look over and see the daffodils, beautiful in their fleeting spring display. They seem to be leaning in and listening. They are circled, with open petals. It turns out they are gathered round a lonely tulip. The tulip is battered, its leaves and petals chewed by some critter. It has a war story. It survived the rodent and lived to tell about it. It blooms several years in a row with no help from any daft gardener. It is a tough bulb, a hardy flower, the rough character in the flower bed. It is a leader. So the daffodils lean in to listen.
Last Friday was May 1st. For 15 years, with two minor exceptions, I have given my spouse flowers on that day. One exception was last year. I am not sure what happened but I forgot, so I pushed it out one month. June 1st is as random a day as May 1st. The other exception was when I waited until the last minute and it was Sunday. I had to wait a day that year.
We met at the end of April, 15 years ago. That is a fair chunk of time. I get her flowers both to suggest that I have been thinking of her and that I love her, as well as to, at least for me, commemorate when we met. We did not meet on May 1st. That was just the day I picked that was close enough. Plus, if I don’t remember, no big deal. It isn’t a specific day, just a time to remember and celebrate.
The thing is this: I think my wife is amazing. I love her like crazy. I think she is one of the most beautiful women I have ever met. If it didn’t sound like I was exaggerating, I would say that she is the most beautiful woman I have ever met. She is a terrific mom and a great friend. I am truly lucky to have met her, and I am fortunate that she is willing to keep things going.
I used to get her one red rose. That felt pretty romantic to me. I have expanded since then. I got her a whole passel of roses after ten years. Now I get a mix. This year it was pink roses and gerber daisies. They brighten the place up. A couple of years ago I decided to make flowers a part of life. So one rose seemed too insignificant. A bouquet had more punch.
And so we stay at it. My parents have been married for over 40 years. My wife’s grandparents have passed 60 years. I am hoping, if the cheesecake doesn’t do me in too soon, that she can bear me for that long. I am hoping that flowers (at least) once every year makes a difference.
I managed to fit in a run today in the middle of the day. I was working from home but I had worked a 12-hour day yesterday and I figured it was cool to take a couple hours to play. I ran eleven miles, which I haven’t done in several weeks. I was tuckered by the time I got back. I did manage, however, to have a productive work day.
I was overdressed, of course. It is easy to be so this time of year. The temperature was 48 degrees and it was windy. Tights? A windbreaker? Could I get away with shorts? I ended up with tights and a windbreaker, just to be safe. I had to shed around mile three. Putting in writing that I wore tights sounds a little foofy. Tights? I think of silky dresses when I hear see the word tights. It is one thing to say it alound but it looks, well, too dainty or something. But whatever, I wore tights. Black ones.
I saw flowers. I had seen coltsfoot recently. That is the always the first flower of spring. I saw that in a number of places today. In some spots it was clustered. But then I saw crocuses. Our crocuses are green, but hardly out of the ground. These were on a hill, in the sun, by the road, and showing off. At one point I smelled some kind of sweet flowery smell. It smelled like lilacs but it couldn’t have been lilacs. It is way too early. But then, I thought it was early for crocuses.
Once again I wished I had a camera with me. I have been pondering a new digital point and shoot for a while now. If I had had a camera with me today I would have captured some of the early spring blooms. I have been thinking about one of those Olympus jobbers that are waterproof and shockproof. That is the kind of camera that would do well on a long run. And wouldn’t it make this blog better, if it were easy to post pics?
In a little while I need to take off. A friend is coming to visit for a few days. His flight, like pretty much all flights to Burlington International Airport, comes in about 10:00 PM. Not many flights arrive at that airport at, say, 4:00 or 5:00. They arrive at 10:00 or 11:00. If they are on time. He called when he stopped for a connection. It looks like he will be on time.
I will make a stop at the supermarket on the way. You know, pick up some bread and beer and butter. B things. Maybe I will get some beans while I’m at it. And maybe some ice cream, a flavor that starts with…
Criminy, I’m going to be up too late, and I’m getting loopy already. Who’s idea was it to run far and work hard and stay up late all in the same day? It will be chilly by the time I get out of here. But I won’t be wearing any tights. Unless I can find that dress with the crocuses on it. If I do, I’ll make sure to take a picture and post it here next time. But I’ll probably just go with jeans.
Mercury on the Move 