Dogwood Arts opened yesterday, at least the trails are open and people can drive through neighborhoods admiring the spring flowers and lovely gardens. My own garden, which is on the trail, remains mostly a vision of potentiality.
But it is time to begin, by walking out the front door and heading east. We see the Kousa dogwood which was planted two years ago. The pale blossoms look lovely framed by the pink of my neighbor’s trees. These photos were taken Tuesday, between the rains, when the sky was still leaden and gray. But gray skies seem to bring out the beauty of flowers, and I will share a few blossoms found along the way.
That same dogwood, up close as I walk by.
It is a good neighborhood for walking, and we are mostly thoughtful of each other and observing social distancing guidelines. But it was also good for me to see friendly faces, even from across the road, and exchange a few words.
Here we are, turning to go up the hill to the street that parallels mine. Several large flowering cherries are on this corner, and I need to stretch to try to take a photo. This in and of itself is a small challenge.
I have made it up the hill without stopping, without back pain and will continue forward rather than retracing my steps. The street that parallels mine is wider with more traffic, but also not as flat, with edges that slope more deeply into the neighboring yards.
But the hardest part of the walk was actually the final leg, a steep downhill stretch culminating in my own driveway. Having been inspired my neighborhood gardens, I continued the downhill track into my own backyard where to check out my own cherry tree, now in full blossom. Frankly, in this its first spring, I am thrilled for any blossoms at all and feel giddy like a proud tree-parent, even though this bounty is completely outside my hands.
And then around the corner, back up the east side of the house, admiring the bed of hellebores and bluebells, now fully open.
And home again, just before the rains return.
That walk, on Tuesday, was .8 mile. Something to remember, but hopefully improvement will continue and stupidity will be avoided, hopefully I will soon be back to daily walks and longer treks. Today it will be warmer, hopefully in the upper 50s if not low 60s by afternoon. Tuesday at noon it was 48 according to my trusty iWatch. Yesterday my walk consisted of mowing the lawn. That has proven to be a challenge, but one that is getting easier as the grass is no longer too long to mow easily. I can see the day when it is no longer a question of choice between pushing the reel mower or taking a walk, or weeding, or digging, as I see my back slowly getting stronger again, other muscles as well. But it is also a choice, and a choice that, at the moment, it is a privilege to make.
