Promise

It’s spring in New England, at least for a little while. Summer vacation is right around the corner. I have a lovely craft post all planned — you’re really going to like it — but between baseball and soccer, baseball and recitals, baseball and concerts and more baseball, I haven’t actually written it yet. (Also, the deadlines. I think of Douglas Adams and his quote “I love deadlines. I love the whooshing sound they make when they fly by” often at this time of year.)

But do not despair! I bring you something else. I went for a hike today with a friend (totally necessary for my sanity) and after I stopped by one of my favorite gardens and took pictures. I am sharing them with you, because next week this garden will look totally different. The peonies and the irises — two of the best spring flowers — will be gone, replaced by other, more heat tolerant plants that are lovely in their own way, but don’t share that sense of sheer, exuberant joy, as if they could not wait to burst open. Or maybe I just feel that way because their life span is so brief.  Either way, here:

 

And here:

These are for you.

Did you know that irises are one of the sweetest-smelling flowers? The name comes from the Greek word for rainbow, and the flower signifies courage, faith and hope — the epitome of spring in New England.

As you rush through your own busy days, remember to breathe. Preferably someplace where you can smell the flowers.