Summary

The web content is a celebration of spring's arrival, featuring vibrant plants like the Japanese quince and Bergenia, a community tradition of sharing items on garden walls, and personal reflections on art, pets, and the joy of the season.

Abstract

The article "Spring is Even Springier This Week!" by Susan Alison captures the essence of early spring through vivid descriptions and photographs of blooming plants such as Chaenomeles japonica and Bergenia. It highlights the communal practice in the author's neighborhood of placing unwanted items on garden walls for others to take, illustrated by the author's discovery of a Grecian column ceramic candlestick. Susan reflects on her own clutter and the need to downsize. The piece also touches on the reliability of certain plants like Old Man's Beard Clematis and Akebia quinata, and the role they play in enhancing the local landscape. Additionally, the author shares her rediscovery of old paintings and muses on childhood games like hopscotch. The article concludes with a nod to "National If Pets Had Thumbs Day," a mention of a computer meltdown that led to the rediscovery of old artworks, and an acknowledgment of the Photo-a-Day Challenge initiated by Dennett to alleviate pandemic blues.

Opinions

Susan Alison expresses a fondness for the Japanese quince's clear and clean design, considering it a favorite among artists.
The author appreciates the low maintenance and adaptability of Bergenia plants, noting their importance as a nectar source for early pollinating insects.
The communal sharing practice in the neighborhood is seen as a positive and sustainable way to reduce waste and foster community spirit.
The author shows a sense of nostalgia and delight in rediscovering old paintings and reflecting on childhood games, questioning whether they are still part of contemporary culture.
There is a humorous tone in the discussion of pets and their lack of opposable thumbs, particularly in the context of Corg Clooney's discovery of electric can openers.
The article conveys gratitude towards contributors who share their week through the Photo-a-Day Challenge, highlighting the sense of community and shared experience during the pandemic.

Spring is Even Springier This Week!

Japonica, bergenia, ceramic candlestick, hopscotch …

The Japanese quince, Chaenomeles japonica, is one of the first shows of colour in the spring in this neighbourhood. It’s also a favourite flower of mine and of many other artists for its clear and clean design. Lovely.

Some of my neighbours also make quince jelly with the resulting fruit.

Another splash of colour out now is the Bergenia — an evergreen herbaceous perennial with leaves whose shape give it the common name of ‘elephant’s ears’.

These plants are low maintenance and thrive in a wide range of conditions and their flowers are a welcome source of early nectar for pollinating insects.

This week’s garden-wall find is this Grecian column ceramic candlestick — (I’ve mentioned before that, in this neighbourhood, we put things we don’t want onto the garden wall so that anyone passing who might want it can just take it) — I managed to leave this one behind, though.

It’s really time I was putting my own things out on a wall for anyone else to take. I have way too much stuff in this house!

Old Man’s Beard Clematis is such a reliable plant and always covers the high fence down the road at this time of year.

And Akebia quinata (Chocolate Vine), which covers a high fence that’s been erected at the other end of the road — this, too, is a great climber that flowers at this time of year and has a fruity scent.

PupperJack wanted to wish you a happy March!

After my awful computer meltdown, I’ve been finding paintings from long ago that I’d forgotten about — this one is ‘Miss Maddy Mouse in the Pink’ — she’s seeing the light of day again now.

Also, ‘One, Two, Buckle My Shoe’. (Is hopscotch played any more?) (Do people even know what hopscotch is … ?)

Did you know that March 3rd is ‘National If Pets Had Thumbs Day’ ?

It is. Honest!

The whole opposable thumb thing has been a problem for pets for a while but our Doggo — Corg Clooney — has discovered electric can openers …

Dennett started the Photo-a-Day Challenge to help combat the pandemic blues. Since then many others kindly share their week with us:

Erika Burkhalter, Anne Bonfert, Tracy Aston, Lisa Bolin, Juan O. Aguilera, David Wade Chambers, June Nguyen, Mia Verita, LensAfield, Barbara Radisavljevic, Diana Lotti, Barb Dalton, Kim Zuch, K. Barrett, Penny Grubb, Ellie Jacobson, Shruthi Sundaram, Jillian Amatt — Artistic Voyages, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, Ann James

(If your name should, or should not, be on this list, please let me know.)

Yay for Signs of Spring Springing!

Shoots and buds and rock ’n’ roll

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Too Cold to Click!

Frosty fronds and freezing fingers

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Have I Mentioned I Have to Do My Tax Return This Month?

It is possible that I have mentioned having to do my tax return this month … Maybe I have …

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