Spring in Louisiana

Last year I shared some of our springtime jewels here.  My viewer stats tell me that enough people visit my blog wanting glimpses of life in...

• "Cajun country"
• "bayous and streams"
• "Acadian homeland"
• "gardens of Louisiana"

They end up here looking for other things as well but this blog post isn't about those "other things".  Spring has clearly sprung and people want to see what's in the backyard of a person living in Louisiana.  And I aim to please.

Later I plan to post pictures of North Louisiana at its brightest and some more pictures of SW Louisiana on the bayou.  The kids and I are overdue for a bayou tour.

So the children and I took a Springtime Nature Walk today and captured these elements of springtime on our camera.

I hope you enjoy them as much as we did are.

My faithful watering can...

The peaceful sound of water over rocks...

Spring flowers in bloom...

And still more flowers in bloom (my neighbor's beautiful lilac bush)...

...and the azalea bushes that the south is famous for...

I suspect these danity starry wildflowers are the very ones that St. Therese the Little Flower was talking about when she wrote:

"Jesus set before me the book of nature. I understand how all the flowers God has created are beautiful, how the splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not take away the perfume of the violet or the delightful simplicity of the daisy. I understand that if all flowers wanted to be roses, nature would lose her springtime beauty, and the fields would no longer be decked out with little wild flowers. So it is in the world of souls, Jesus' garden. He has created smaller ones and those must be content to be daisies or violets destined to give joy to God's glances when He looks down at His feet. Perfection consists in doing His will, in being what He wills us to be."  ~ The Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisieux

There's a lushful spot of clover that makes you remember barefoot childhood days...

And those white springtime flowers that (though this picture didn't come out sharp) reminds you of all those flower crowns and necklaces and braclets and rings you made as a child...

And those fun, fun, fun dandelions.  Admit it!  You still make a wish and blow the willow-wispy seeds whenever you pass by one.  Don't cha?

Ah, the leaves of the fig tree are growing thicker, promising a harvest of figs for the table.  Fig trees represent a big part of my childhood.  I wasn't one who liked the outdoors much, but I loved the fig tree. There was a fig tree in my parent's backyard and another fig tree at PawPaw and MawMaw's house.  Perfect for all ages to climb.  My brother and I and the cousins would pluck off the unripe, greener-than-green figs and squeeze out their milk of life onto our wrists and necks, pretending it was perfume.  My mother insisted that I was allergic to those fig trees and it was the reason for my eczema.

Ferns!  Let me know if you see a garden fairy or knome poke its head out amidst the greenery...

Hey!  Look!  I see a green frog looking at me (those who have read Brown Bear, Brown Bear umpteenth times to their preschooler will know this familiar refrain)...

The very first dogwood blossom on my new dogwood tree arrived in time for Easter. Don't forget to read about the dogwood tree in The Jesus Garden published by Pauline Books and Media (study guide provided here)...

Flipflops are a sure sign of spring...

...as is resting on the patio with a snack of goldfish crackers...

...and blowing a few bubbles into the breeze...

...and hiding a few Easter eggs...

Of course, spring also means contending with these cheechee flakes (that's what we call them) that fall like a blizzard from our oak trees...

We definitely need a good, spongy rain to settle the cheechees and the pollen bannered out by the floral growth that settles so thickly on the vehicles that the girls use it for their artwork...

But, despite the pollen and the cheechees, springtime is my favorite of all seasons (followed closely on its heels by autumn).  The only distinction between these two seasons is that my birthday springs in the beautiful month of April and, just like my little daughter believes all the Christmas lights and parties are in honor of her birthday, I always felt the world was bursting forth with beauty and life in honor of my birthday.  How self-absorbed can a child be, I ask you?

But glories of springtime and front yard swings...

...and fresh squeezed homemade lemonade...

...definitely gives me bragging rights.  ; )

Have you been outside today?

Have you been on a walk with your child lately?

Have you observed God's blessings in nature lately?

Comments

[Jenn Miller]

Lovely, Cay. My heart just sighed seeing your azaleas.

We're enjoying our springtime blossoming, and I'm making a concerted effort to go outside and enjoy.

[Melanie]

Lovely pictures! Makes me want to go take some today myself...well, if it wasn't pouring down rain. :) Spring isn't quite as far along here in Arkansas, but it is definitely here! And I have 2 dogwoods coming, so I am quite envious of yours. :)

[Jennifer]

Wow. Great post! We have the exact same little flowers popping up all over. I love the clover flower - it is so humble, yet so beautiful. I loved your St. Therese quote.

[Jennifer]

Lovely pictures, Cay! I miss the dandelions and I hadn't even realized we don't have them in the Keys till I saw your photos.

[betty]

I enjoyed the Springtime Nature Walk with you today, Cay, but now I'm sneezing my head off! The oak pollen really got to me! But the time spent at your place with you and your family was definitely worth it! Can't wait til next time!

[Maria Ashwell]

Oh Cay! What a wonderful walk. I could almost smell that spring air. I love dogwoods. Like snowflakes suspended in air.

[Leticia Velasquez]

Our spring is just in it's infancy,crocus and the promise of forsythias and daffodils. I call it the yellow period. Up north, we don't get azaleas until mid-May! I really enjoyed a little early spring, thanks!

[jennifer]

It was cold and windy here in Texas today, but I sure enjoyed my walk through your yard. Thank you for sharing.

[jennifer]

It was cold and windy here in Texas today, but I sure enjoyed my walk through your yard. Thank you for sharing.

[Kristen Laurence]

Lovely, Cay! Now I'm craving figs and fresh lemonade!

[Robyn]

I *do* still blow on dandelions!! Thank you for a lovely spring tour and Happy Birthday to you!