Some plants went outside on Tuesday. I had my coffee on the terrace, accompanied by sketchbook and watercolors.
In the parks, the trees are fairly quivering with every shade of pale green. (Parc Lafontaine above, Parc St-Louis below.)
While downtown, things are further along, with even the tulips in bloom. This is Phillips Square.
It's hard to describe the tenderness of a far-northern spring -- and how short-lived it can be. Spring arrived practically overnight, and is giving way to summer within one week. Leaves that were tight buds last weekend have unfurled; the magnolias have burst into bloom; tulips are lapping the daffodils in what is usually a much longer marathon of floral pacing and endurance. It's almost too much, after such an impossible winter; Montrealers are walking around looking dazed, dazzled, relieved, and somewhat uncomprehending. As for me, I'm thrilled to be back on my bike, back on the terrace, and back with my human and floral friends at the community garden, which opened last Sunday. Picnics with friends! Outdoor sketching! Birdwatching along the river! Cutting flowers for the house...just lying in the sun...such expansive possibilities!
The same thing is happening here in the Upper Valley.
Posted by: Kathryn | May 08, 2015 at 09:01 AM
Beautiful!
When we left western MA a week ago the trees were just on the verge of popping. I am hoping that when we fly home tomorrow, it will be into something that truly feels like spring.
Posted by: Rachel Barenblat | May 08, 2015 at 09:37 AM
I lived in Wisconsin, where spring lasted a couple of weeks and fall likewise. Can't say I miss it. Spring is fantastic in the Northwest this year, and I'm glad I got to experience of couple of weeks of it.
Posted by: Hattie | May 09, 2015 at 12:53 AM