Tuesday, March 15, 2005

A Sight for Winter Weary Eyes

Hope springs eternal (in the human breast) –- credit Alexander Pope. I wonder if that’s where the decision came from to call the season which marks the emergence of new growth each year–spring! I’m sure this is not so, just a passing thought. Spring is always a beautiful time of year and we’re well into a solid beginning of it where I live even though the official date is March 20. Incidentally, when did the 21st of the designated month of beginning a season cease to be the correct date? Wasn’t it always the 21st?

Scattered about the towns and surrounding mountains, hills and valleys are tons of fruit trees; lots of plum and cherry variations. For a brief time in spring, they are in their glory year after year. San Francisco’s Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown is a famous annual event which attracts many visitors. For me, however, there’s no need to travel to the city to fill my eyes and soul with such a lovely sight. Many years ago in my little city’s history, some forward-thinking, brilliant person decided to line a particular street on both sides with cherry trees. I don’t know what kind of cherry trees they are but they’re not the kind that produce edible cherries. This is a good thing else I’d be attempting to climb them all and pick cherries until I fell out or collapsed from exhaustion...whichever occurred first.

When this double line of trees has blossomed to its peak, it’s one of the loveliest sights of the year this place has to offer. Yes, it’s the same sight year after year but it’s one of those things that are always better than you remember. The delicate pink petals above the graceful trunks always make me think of weddings and all things bridal. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to travel along this street to its end to meet my beloved and tell him oh yes, I do.

Already, this glorious display is almost at its peak. If a week passes and you don’t remember to drive or walk down this one street, you’ll miss it. Thank goodness there’s always next year.

Cherry Blossom Trees - Spring In New England - Photo, Photos,

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think it's the transient nature of the blooming cherries that make them so breathtaking.  They are gorgeous for only a moment, and gone so quickly.

BTW--the first day of any season is determined by the exact time that the solstice or equinox happens (depending on the season---solstice for winter and summer, equinox for spring and fall.)  It does not fall on exactly the same time each year, usually somewhere between the 20th and 22nd of the month.  More information than you really needed, eh?  LOL!  Lisa  :-]

Anonymous said...

Also, the abundance of Dafodils that sprout just about everywhere this time of year are also great to see!!!