The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month. ~Henry Van Dyke, American author, educator, and clergyman
I can’t speak for everyone, but it seems to me that Central Illinois is weather-weary.
Tired of gray days and cold temperatures. Bored by day after day of rain and thunderstorms. Frustrated at the capriciousness of Mother Nature.
Still, on the one pretty day we’ve had since, oh, I don’t know, February or so, the Monk and I managed to get outdoors and look for signs that Spring is on the horizon.
Take a look at what we found!
A hyacinth:
Pink magnolia in bloom:
Yellow forsythia:
A patch of daffodils:
I didn’t get close enough to identify this one, but it’s pretty:
Two pear trees:
A pretty bush just starting to flower:
Grape-hyacinth:
Pretty in pink:
Purple plum in bloom:
Those who’ve lived here a while know not to put away their cold weather gear this early, but we take the pretty days as we can get ’em!
Musings by an ND Domer's Mom 
Count your blessings, Debbie, at least you have blossoms! You are about a month farther along than we are. Winter is hanging on here, an inch plus of snow predicted tonight into tomorrow. The highs are 30-40s… I know it will come soon, but spring is slow coming this year! 🌷🌸
The Monk and I were very fortunate to photograph these between storms, Eliza. I, too, feel spring is taking her sweet time this year. Of course, it’s not totally unusual for us to have to wear coats and boots to Easter services!
As a child, I remember esp. when Easter fell in March and we’d be in short dresses and bobby socks, spring coats and hats, absolutely freezing!!
HaHa! I’ve long believed in dressing for the weather, not the season!
This was the early 60s and we had to dress by ‘the rules!’ 😀
Absolutely lovely! You are much farther into spring than we are. No flowers in bloom here.
No blooms? Then I’m delighted I was able to share ours with you, Laurie. I guess for once that old groundhog was right — spring is taking its sweet time this year.
Debbie, same here, we’re starting to see Spring Has Sprung. I even took several pictures over the past week of the pink cherry blossom trees in our parks. And also like you, we’re experiencing a bit of bipolar weather. Several weeks ago, we had temps in the 80s. However, the past few days have been in the 40s and even 30s. And yup, lots of rain. I have not put away my coats, sweaters, and turtlenecks, because April can be very unpredictable.
Your photographs are so beautiful! Thanks for sharing, my friend!
Wishing you and the Monk a superb weekend!
X
I hope you’ll share your cherry blossom photos with us, Ron — those things in full bloom take my breath away! I guess that’s one reason I love my weeping cherry … but only in the spring. The rest of the year, it looks like Cousin Itt from The Addams Family!
I can’t help marveling at how many folks are already wearing shorts and T-shirts … outdoors. It’s far too cold for that sort of thing, I think. I’m perfectly content to keep my heavy coat and mittens handy, especially when walking the Monk.
Enjoy your weekend, my friend! XX
What an abundance of blooms! I loved seeing one of my first childhood favorites: the forsythia. We have that reddish bush that’s just starting to flower, too. I never can remember the name of it, partly because it’s rather uncommon, but it is pretty. That unidentified purple mound sure looks like azalea. They’ll bloom early, and ours already are beginning to fade in places. Whatever it is, it’s lovely, and it must be immensely cheering to see such signs of spring — finally!
Linda, I rather thought the purple bush was an azalea, too, but I failed to get close enough to identify it. I probably should’ve put the photo in my plant app to be sure. It was pretty huge, compared to the azaleas we used to have. Maybe they fertilized it — or had it planted in a more favorable location. Anyway, it was gorgeous, such a lovely shade!
Hurray! The pink magnolia is gorgeous! In fact, all the shades of pink, grape, plum and purple make my heart sing. Here’s hoping the worst of winter’s cold and gray is behind you. (I know, I know, old man winter probably has a parting shot or two left in his plans…)
I love the magnolia, too, Barbara, despite the “mess” it leaves behind when it’s finished blooming. I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed my photos. The Monk and I caught a perfect day for strolling around and photographing spring. Between storms, of course! And I like how you put it about old man winter giving us another parting shot. I’m pretty sure that’s in his grand scheme!
What fabulous captures of spring, Debbie. I’ sure seeing these gave you a boost.
John, I’m happy to share them with y’all. It’s been a challenge this year, what with all the storms, rain, and such. But you’re right, seeing these beauties gives me cause to know spring really is coming, even if it’s taking its sweet time!
😊
I certainly looks like Spring has arrived for you with all those gorgeous blooms! That quote at the tops works for us, too, only the signs often are far sooner than the actual date.
Kelly, I guess I’ve lived here long enough to realize that “Spring” means different things to different people. The weather-folks started talking up spring back in March, but we’ve had far too many days where the temps don’t rise above 40 degrees for me to believe that’s spring! I guess I’m partial to a true Southern spring, which we don’t get here. Sigh.
We’ve had sun this week but not much sign of spring yet. Probably just as well since apparently it’s due to get colder and wet again at the weekend so any little plant that had stuck its head up would end up regretting it! Still, it’s been nice to have some sunshine for a few days!
FF, I can stand a lot of cold, provided there’s plentiful sunshine to accompany it. It’s those cold, gray, and windy days that challenge me most. I’m actually pretty surprised the Monk and I were able to find this many signs of spring. It’s not unheard of here for there to be a sudden snow or ice storm in April, just because winter doesn’t seem to want to let go.
Very pretty! I hope you get some real Spring weather soon! We’ve had too much rain and cold here in Missouri too, but today was just fabulous, and tomorrow is supposed to be unseasonably warm.
Anytime we get “unseasonably warm,” Ann, we end up with thunderstorms. It’s like that’s Mother Nature’s reminder that we pay for the good stuff! Anyway, I, too, am longing for spring — so far, it’s been a mixed bag for us!
I’m a bit slow to respond to your delightful post, Debbie, but with all those flowers… doesn’t that indicate it is spring for you and doesn’t spring time include snow sometimes? In Corpus Christi, TX we don’t get that much flowering any time of year. It looks quite like an Austin, TX spring to me. That’s is a lot of color and flowering!!! Where did you live in Texas? You really can’t take the Texan out of a person…
Those are definitely azalea that no one wanted to cut back late last fall. Perhaps so they could see this amazing flowering in spring!!
Keep up the walks when the weather is delightful. It will be hot tamales before you know it!
I’m glad to hear you can’t take the Texan out of a person — I thought it was just me! I lived all over, actually: from the coastal area near Beaumont to West Texas near Midland to the Metroplex in Dallas-Fort Worth. The spots I missed are Austin and the Hill Country. I think I’d love Corpus, without the threat of hurricanes!
Glad you enjoyed my Spring show! Yes, I thought that was an azalea. Mine never got that huge, so I was puzzled. They must’ve had it in a good spot.
We definitely missed each other in our Texas places! I have visited all of yours. Austin was lovely when I lived there, but it is too big for me now. There’s much to like about Corpus Christi and it is easy to get around by car. It has plenty of the basics, unfortunately lacking in doctors. Too many nurses who believe they are doctors.
This is the first year that I have a pre-packed 3 day Emergency Fire Bag. I have only evacuated once. Now I don’t evacuate during hurricanes mostly due to lack of financial funds, but other reasons important to me as well. I have lived through so many hurricanes and tornadoes. Skilled survivor. I’m more afraid of driving a car, oddly enough.
It is very pretty where you live now!
TD, I’m sorry for being late to reply to your comment, but somehow, it wound up in my Spam folder. Who knows why these things happen?? Anyway, I’m a bit surprised — but impressed! — at your “survival skills.” When I lived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, I rode out a few hurricanes (none of the “biggies,” though), mostly because I had to … I was a working journalist. I can still remember my dog insisting on going outside to potty in the middle of one storm. The wind was howling, and the rain was coming down in sheets. Scary stuff, though I suppose it’s what you get used to. Now, tornadoes? Not sure I want to get too used to those!!
I suspected that my message went to your spam folder because it would not be like you not to message back.
Mississippi Gulf Coast, huh. That’s a surprise! The thing about hurricanes is that you don’t truly know exactly if it will be a “biggie”, until it’s all over and moved on. It’s usually many days of anxiety waiting, listening, then whammy you are in it! Tornadoes are a complete surprise… what is happening, zings through violently shaking every nerve.
During the “biggie” Hurricane Harvey I lived on the island with Yorkie and another little older York-a-chon. I had made a camp in a small shower type bathroom for us to be during the last final night. And I can’t remember anything about if either of them needed to potty. I actually ended up falling asleep in the shower with them during the storm surge final blow. When I woke up it was all over. I remember looking out the windows a lot to watch. To my knowledge I was the only human left on the island. It was a voluntary evacuation, but everyone left but me. I was not well enough to drive so I made us a camp. I wonder how I could have fallen asleep sitting in the shower. A closet exploded and shelves fell and part of the roof blew off. How the heck does a person sleep through that?
Tomorrow is first day of hurricane season. 🤞
How terrifying! I’m glad you made it through alive. Prayers this will be an easy hurricane season!