Early spring flowers are among my favorite things. Daffodills, fortsythia, crocuses– they are all happy harbingers of spring, even when the rest of nature is not budging (yet). Yesterday I enjoyed another early spring floral display– an orchid show at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, about an hour from my house.

This botanical garden is set on “200 acres of conservatories, formal and naturalistic gardens, a café, Garden Shop, walking trails, accessible pathways, and expansive views of the Wachusett Reservoir”, says their website. I’ve been at all times of the year, and there’s always something interesting to learn about local nature and art.

Some friends and I motored out there together and used passes from our local library to get reduced admission— two more fine features of the day.

We spent time both inside and outside, but the main attraction yesterday was the orchids. I love orchids. I grow them in my house, which has bright indirect light that orchids enjoy. And they have flourished for years. Really, it’s not me, it’s them– they seems to like it at my house.

But the orchid display in these conservatories was positively outlandish, in the best possible way. Take a look.

Here are some more.

And these.

And finally, these:

We walked around outside to a newly landscaped garden/children’s play area. My friend Rachel’s daughter Teagan enjoyed the flowers, but she really got into running around with all the kids in the area. We got into watching them.

I bought an orchid to take home with me, and it’s now settling into its new home. On my way back into the house, I stopped to talk with a neighbor about gardening– we are planning a trip a a local nursery together.

Moments of pleasure and respite. Reminders of the promise of a new season, come what may. Connections with friends and neighbors. The glory of nature. These are simple and necessary joys, open to all of us.

Have a lovely Sunday, friends.

Hi folks– as I write this post, it’s 37F/2.7C at home near Boston. But I’m not there. I’m in South Carolina, visiting my sister and her kids and my mom and other relatives for a week. And there (well, here from my perspective), the temperature is much nicer.

Yes, there is some rain in the forecast for the coming week, but also some nice days in the upper 70s. I’ve lived in New England for 40 years now, but the southern-born parts of me still grouse when it’s March and cold and damp, with nothing blooming or green (yet). Of course the spring, when it does come, is glorious. And the summers– my, oh my!

But it’s not summer yet. It’s early March. So I scampered south to get an early preview of what spring might be in a couple of months. And I wasn’t disappointed. The sun is out, along with all kinds of people enjoying what the day has to offer. And what it offered us was a local art/craft festival.

Perfect! I love me some local outdoor arts/crafts festivals. They’ve got everything you need: dogs, kids, food trucks, local musicians and DJs, and artistic creations ranging from pottery vases to Robot acrylics to finely decorated miscellaneous objects. To wit:

Because I was so caught up in the art and the scene and the people, I didn’t take photos of the sunny day. But you can see the light in the photos. And this was the day before the time change!

I love the creative courage it takes to listen to yourself, do what moves you, and then put it out there on the street for others to see and buy. Several of the artists we met talked fondly about finding new homes for their pieces. I felt their sincerity, and appreciated the marketing approach.

One of my favorite pieces of the day was this pottery creation– a vase fail, but also a stand against oppressive practicality.

Just walking around the streets in this funky neighborhood of Columbia, SC with loads of other people was a tonic for winter weariness. And I got in a lot of steps, too!

Plans for the week with fambly include more activities in the spirit of exploring spring– some coastal forays, walking in my favorite cypress swamp park, floral and sculpture hunting in a lovely botanical garden, and renting bikes for a day if the weather cooperates. I think/hope I’ll be fortified to take on the rest of March and also April in New England, which we have to get through in order to make it to May, glorious May.

Readers, how are you managing March? Is it easy-breezy where you live? Are you still hunkering down in your wool sweaters, eating squash-and-kale soup by the hearth? Let me know what you’re up to.