Thursday, April 16, 2009

Spring in the Trees...

There are signs of Spring everywhere! There is Spring in the trees!
Inside and out..... This little tree on my windowsill (center) is a tropical pre bonsai (not trained to a bonsai pot yet...) and it is blooming. It's called a Vietnamese Water Jasmine tree, and the flowers are very tiny, but very fragrant. These little star like flowers hang from their stems in a pendulous way and every tiny movement of air, causes them to sway a bit. It was very hard to get this picture, as any little movement by me or the plant due to a breeze, caused the picture to blur. I'll try to set up my tripod to see if i can take a better shot later....

And here is an old friend of mine, just starting to bloom. This plant is older than my oldest daughter. I remember going to Boston on a bus trip to see the huge annual flower show with my grandmother Mary, when i was 18 years old. That is when we first laid eyes on her favorite, the Martha Washington geranium, and this little gem, an Easter cactus. Up until then we had only seen and heard of the Christmas cactus. This plant is almost 37 years old! It is the original cactus, but there are many many cuttings all over the place, as all you do is take a branch of it and pop it into the soil in another pot and let it take root.

It's flower is flatter than the Christmas cactus bloom, and actually looks like a St. Michaelmas daisy to me....
This little plant is just one of the things that keeps my memories of my Grandmother alive and with me every day. I remember us coming back on the bus with our plants, happy as clams! I hope to share so many experiences with Lola and Seth so they will remember their grandmother too....

9 comments:

Archie and Melissa said...

hi mare!

what ana amzing post. i love that cactus and your story.

it made my whole day!

xoxoxo
melissa

Phill said...

Our trees are looking just about the same down here. My up North neighbors tell me no buds there yet. The blooms are beautiful!

Unknown said...

Hi Mare you only have to be you, to create memories for your kids, they will see beauty.... pure, simple, love.... what a memory from your biggest kid, nancy love you

The Three Little Bears said...

I love the last one. I loved my grandmother so much too.

Karin said...

Mare!! I went to the Paper Sparrow today and bought earrings and a doll made from a felted sweater and some do si dough. I needed gifts for people and there they were!
I talked with your daughter, who is lovely!!

Mare said...

Thanks everyone....and Nance..you made me cry....love you too!

Mare said...

Hi Karin! Thanks for stopping by the Paper Sparrow! Katie told me she met you...Thanks so much. I think she is lovely too! ;)

Paula said...

Wow- beautiful pictures!!
I love seeing your Easter cactus, Mare- it reminds me of my Mom. She had one for about 15 years... when she couldn't care for it any more, she gave it away. I wish I knew where it was today...

Stacey said...

What a fantastic plant! You have quite the green thumb!