Oleander Ka-bloom

For some reason unbeknownst to me, the flowering plants in my yard have exploded with bloom this year. Both of my Ligustrums (better known as a privet hedge — and to be honest I like the name better) were weighted down with blooms and the scent from the one over my patio was so heavy that it sent me inside one day.

My poor old pink oleander has just been giving me minimal blooms since I planted it about 12 years ago. Lovely but nothing to write home about, until this year. It is so weighted down with blooms that its branches are practically dragging on the ground. Normally it is taller than my house (when I planted it 'twas barely knee high) but now the bloom-laden hanging limbs are about knee high.

I'm sharing some photos of the oleander's pink loveliness here.

But wait till you see my gardenias! Better yet, you should smell them. Yum-m-m-m-m! They also are dragging the ground. I have picked blooms, given away blooms, have my house filled with bowls of floating gardenia blooms and still they come.

Ah, I just love the sights and scents spring!

Sad and grateful

I started this blog over three years ago at a time when I was very sad and was having trouble finding things to be grateful for. It took a lot of effort to find little joys in life but I did and it helped, a lot.

Oh, but life occasionally throws you a curve ball to see if you've learned your lessons. That happened to me today. I'm sad, very sad, but yes, grateful.

I'm grateful that several months ago I was directed to an Internet WebCam of a Bald Eagle's nest — I mentioned it earlier on this blog. The eagle pair's three eggs were laid, hatched and I've been an avid daily viewer. The eaglets have grown tremendously but are still needing care from their parents.

Unfortunately, the female eagle was struck and killed by an airplane today. To say I am totally crushed is an understatement. I made these eagles (mother, father and three chicks) an integral part of my life. It's almost like losing a beloved pet.

While I am heartbroken, I am grateful for the opportunity to have been able to watch the nest with this feathered family from the start.

To that end I'm sharing some screen shots I have taken of Mama Eagle along the way. She was lovely. She was a good mom and a good mate to her male for nine years. Imagine that!

During a rainstorm she was dubbed "Mombrella" and keeping the chicks dry certainly provided the epitome of a bad hair day.

You will be missed but I'm glad I got to share the nest with you Mama Eagle, you've taught me to be open and caring about nature and all that is good about the world.

Easter Sunrise

Remembering Easter sunrise services in Old Salem, NC was part of my morning musings today. I was greeted not only by the sun but with snippets of hymns drifting my way from early morning Easter services on the beach.

God's in his heaven; all's right with the world.

Untitled

Well, I couldn't think of anything clever as a title for this shot. Chair, was a thought. Anticipation another consideration... other than that I'm stymied.

The lifeguard chairs have just recently taken up their summertime position on my area of the beach. This was a lovely view with the sun just coming up and it wasn't until I got home that I realized that a gull also decided to grace this shot.

Anticipation opens many mental doors. Anticipating summer vacations — the lifeguards doing their jobs with teenage girls getting giggly and hanging around. Anticipation of turtle season. Sand castles, sun burns, fun with friends, summer songs you'll never forget... all these images and more evoked by the placing of the lifeguard chairs. Amazing isn't it?

New corner of the world

I've always found peace and renewal on the beach and NOW on my new patio as well. Joy!

After years of living with only the dream of a patio in my backyard I finally treated myself and even on some sunny winter days I enjoyed the serenity of my new corner of the world. Now that spring is here I have found this new space gives me a great excuse to just sit and stare at the trees, the clouds, the birds and the flowers. I get to nod off over a book and nurture a plant or two. Ah! Life is good!

First dawn

Here it is April and this is the first time I've been to the beach at dawn since last fall when our early morning weather turned cold. Temperatures today are forecast to be 90º which means too uncomfortable for a mid-day walk.

No matter the reason, being at the beach to greet the day was a real treat.

Hitting the waves

Perfect day to hit the waves. Crisp blue skies, warmer ocean temps (but still only in the mid-60s) and some good breakers that make it just plain exciting.

Glad these young people were having fun. Glad I only have to enjoy it vicariously. But enjoy it I did.

After school treat

This lovely April 4th afternoon I went to the beach much later than usual. Surprised by all the cars, I wondered where so many people were coming from. Spring break was over, major tourist events for the area had moved on and it was a weekday. Huh?

Then I realized these were mostly high schoolers, class was over for the day and they were going to the beach. Wow! Now how lucky is that?

My high school was in Washington D.C. — no beach there. Hopefully someday when the rigors of adulthood hit them, these young people will look back fondly on the times they were lucky enough to go to the beach after school.