Enough of winter diversions! It's time for the promise of redbuds!

     I am so glad to be making a new post. I love working with my photos, and I love sharing them with those of you who keep returning.  I hope everyone is warm and dry, but I know that this year that's asking a lot.  There seem to be relentless climate challenges these days.  In what ways can we help each other through this!?!

    I have quite a few redbud photos because it is a favorite time of year for me.  And that time is almost here.  So, in case I get distracted by this year's spring, I want to share a few of my photos early -- all made very near where I live in northeastern Kentucky.

 NOTE: for some unknown reason I wrote the above weeks ago but then I couldn't get the photo part to work.  So I have been waiting and checking on it regularly.  Then tonight, again for some unknown reason, it seems to be working!!  I am keeping this post short, even so, in case the magic disappears.  And now some redbud photos:
 

 

These flowers -- which are also branches -- are always eye catching.

I always look for this "patch" of redbuds along this nearby dirt road

a photo from several years ago

This tree was once a little transplant next to the steps down to our house. It has survived ice storms, children climbing on it, super winds, and such.  So far.  

 

 

 

 

 

I love this photo, made near Winchester.  The sky and the light made me happy for the tree's abundance.

Of course the dogwoods like to follow the redbuds.  This past weekend, with a friend, we drove  all the way south to Harlan County, Kentucky, to the Pine Mountain Settlement School for a gathering there.  The dogwoods puncuated the woods as we drove through, mountains on either side of the road. The redbuds were mostly finished blooming.  The trees along the way were a wonder of greens, hillside after hillside. Our timing and the weather were a blessing. It was so beautiful to have the chance to drive on narrow roads through this spring display.

Please be happy for me and the chance I have had to share one more post.  I hope to this means I will be able to do a next one soon.  After 10+ years of this, I care about being able to share my thoughts, concerns, and particularly my photos.  Surely I will be able to be back soon.  Ann

    

 

 

 

Bonnie's flowers and family, later, after the burial

    I went by the house later, to photograph the flowers Bonnie's family had kept up with during her illness.  Bonnie loved her flowers, and her family, many of whom were still there. I have shown other flowers of hers other years, but this was now.  It will never be quite the same, so we can honor her in this way.

 

Bonnie's sister, who, I believe, did most of the flower keeping. She's on the porch, and I really like this photo of her.

    May we all enjoy the beauty of flowers and of each repeating season. I'm grateful so many people I know take such good care of the outside spaces they have.  I have a sister who knows all about plants and who has been sharing her knowlege of native plants for years. My other sister has invasives on her mind, and she plants trees when she is not chainsawing. I can not manage either of their obsessions, but I am glad, at least, I can take photos of gardens and woods.  Thank you, wildness.

     Three more photos:

            The first is one I had to try hard to make, but then I didn't do the work until now to get it off the camera and on to the blog.  I love my little pond, which, at the moment, seems loaded with red-winged blackbird activity after these dogwood blossoms came and went.

        Two weeks ago I promised another iPhone video, which I will indeed try for tonight. Again, if it's not there when you visit this blog, it will mean EITHER that I didn't get it to work OR it's still downloading.  Enjoy your family and friends. Don't believe the lies about who is our legal president. (It's Joe Biden.)  Thanks as always for visiting here. Be safe. And vaccinate!

                                                                    along Mauk Ridge

bird break, time for spring flowers

post #482
          More visiting birds next week, but today spring is wanting a turn.  I have some photos from this week, and several friends and family have sent me photos as well. So here are some of these. In a truly difficult time of "never before" we can be warmed by the always happening, this year, next year and again.

in my yard

in Tom and Molly's yard

I remember the house that 40 years ago was at the top of these steps. Now, every year,  these beauties are what happens.  My name for this photo, with George Ella Lyon's help, is LEGACY.  It's located on the way to town; it's a tradition.

             Three photos from my daughter, Rebecca:

peonies rushing to push back out of the earth

Maybe every dogwood tree deserves an actual companion dog....

        Friends Leatha and Will took a drive today to go see the blooms in the Lexington Cemetery, and they were kind to share some of its loveliness.

      Now a spring photo from England, by Sarah Fletcher, who shared this photo on Instagram today. I love the front sheep, posing, and the back steeple, with all that munching going on in between!  Always good to see so much blue sky over there,....

Saintbury Church in Willersey

Though these also aren't flowers, this photo continues to intrigue me. It's a drive-by on my way home from the grocery store. I call this the neighborhood deli, with four smart ass diners....

     
          To end today's hiatus, I'd like to give a shout-out to our wet-behind-the-ears governor who has been so impressive as he manages to set a tone of compassion and caring and perseverance to all Kentuckians, regardless of their politics. He is truthful, reliable, sensible, and direct about why he has made decisions that might at first seem daunting to his constituents.  Every day at 5 pm he has been showing what real leadership can be. It has been awhile since we've experienced that, so many of us are particularly grateful for his presence.  Thank you Gov. Andy Beshear!!!