Sunday, January 31, 2010

Perfect

It's January (okay, almost February.) But still. This is what's sprouted in my garden in the last week.


I know in many parts of the world, it's snowing.  Miserable. Cold. Icy.

And I show you this, not to rub in our moderate weather in California (because we've had our share of ugly stuff this winter) but, rather, to share this little piece of sunshine with you.


These little babies sprouted with full confidence that they were doing what they were meant to do, when they were meant to do it.  And even if it wasn't perfect timing,  their effort was going to be their best.

Nighttime frigid plunges? 
Bah!
Flooding rain predicted?
Who cares? I'm here, World! Look at me!

Likewise, my camelia has joined in on this optimistic impulse.



Season after season, it waits until the dead of winter to share a little beauty with my fallow garden, dressing itself up with jewels like this one.

They're sturdier than they look. And they don't whine about the weather. Or the nighttime dips.
They welcome them as part of their journey, apparently. Expect them, even.
They simply bob their heads in the breeze and impart a little sunshine as we human's pass.

Yes, I suppose if they'd waited until April or May, they would surely have found a more welcoming climate, less adversity. 
 But the truth is, the timing of this bloom is perfect.
Absolutely perfect.

9 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

What beautiful harbingers of spring! Thanks for the bright spot of colour today!

Sarah Sullivan said...

Beautiful lucky duck...they are stunning..photos are wonderful!!

rxBambi said...

ugh. I"m jealous! Just today I was looking at our landscaping and thinking about how brown and ugly it was was! Hurry up Spring!

stregata said...

Thanks for sharing these - I am so needing to see something other that snow...

Chatty Crone said...

Ever here this quote by Anais Nin? "And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."

They were ready to take the risk. And because they were ready you took a picture and shared it with us. And because you shared it with me - I felt joy, hope, and happiness. Trickle down happiness.

Thank you.
Sandie

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Hey Barbara: How lucky are you!!!?
Daffodils - and your gorgeous photo close-up of the camelia. I adore flowers with shades of pink, orange and coral all together. Just lovely. We won't see any daffodils for another 2 months up here. It's been bitterly cold the last 2 weeks. California is looking awfully inviting!

Linda Hoye said...

Beautiful flowers! How fortunate you are to have them so early. Mine are just poking their little green heads out of the soil now. Thank you for stopping by my blog! I'm enjoying poking around yours, and I'll be back!

Lesley said...

amazing photographs and such vibrant color!!!

♥ Braja said...

beautiful....