First Green

There is something special about the first pale greens of spring. They are late this year and thus all the more welcome.

May 10/10: Ferns

May 10/10: Ferns, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Ferns unfurling, their gentle green lace is revealed. Now they are young, not yet giving off their cool green aura of summer. As they fill in, their dense folliage will hide the earth, providing havens for the garden insects.

Apr 12/10 Coming Soon

Apr 12/10 Coming Soon, originally uploaded by susanvg.

In this all too early spring, the tulips are poking their heads through the leaves. And my garden has a northern exposure with growth slower than the sunnier side. I have seen tulips that are open wide. Our temperatures are back down to about seasonal which means possibilities of frost. The hardy tulips will survive, but the delicate blossoms that are emerging too soon may not. Climate change has its challenges.

Mar 30/10 Green

Mar 30/10 Green, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Daily Shoot: Today's theme is the color green. Make a photograph dominated by green and post it.

Getting ready for dinner - time to "eat your greens". Living in a northern climate it is not always possible to be "green" at the table. So much of our produce gets shipped from Florida, California and even farther. Asparagus comes from Peru much of the year and those wonderful clementines come from Morocco. Life is always a juggle of doing what is best, for oneself, for the planet.

Feb 23/10: Plants

Feb 23/10: Plants, originally uploaded by susanvg.

My home is full of plants. I know they supply me with oxygen and some are known to actually help clean the air. I need the feeling of life plants offer, especially in the long winter months when plant life stops outdoors.

I revel in their growth, delight in new flowers and appreciate their resilience. Despite my irregular watering and rare fertilizing, they flourish. Maybe we need to keep that in mind when working with children. We need to nurture them, but give them the space to find their path. Too much nurturing may stunt their possibilities.

Day 131: Green?

Day 131: Green?, originally uploaded by susanvg.

It's hard to make green choices because the choices are not clear. This compact fluorescent light bulb is touted as energy saving, but it contains a small amount of mercury. Recycle, the city says, but they don't pick up these light bulbs. Consumers have to take them to the "eco" centres. How many people do this? We leave a cleaner carbon footprint and then pollute our landfill.

Green is in - corporations try to paint themselves with the eco green brush - but often it is lip service to a serious problem. And if I really look at myself, I know that I do the same. Waste and wanton consumerism are part of our North American culture.
I love the native American saying
"We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our grandchildren."
We need to all become more conscious of being keepers of the earth.

Day 76: A Hint of Green

Day 76: A Hint of Green, originally uploaded by susanvg.

The mercury went up; we seem to be having an unusually early spring. March, known for heavy, wet snowfalls, has been sunny and no snow is forecast for the next few days. It always amazes me that as soon as the snow shrinks back, flower sprouts start to appear. These are in a protected area that not only gets sun but has warmth reflected from a stone wall. It is always a pleasure to see the first signs of growth. Each time I go out walking, I search for little changes.

It was a day for walking outdoors, with temperatures reaching 13C (55F). Walking with my jacket open felt liberating. It's funny that temperatures that make us zip up in fall feel warm in spring. The terrace was open at the local cafe and people were enjoying their coffees in the unexpected warmth. High on a tree branch, a cardinal serenaded all who passed. Spring doesn't wait for the calendar.