And as I know these trees from other seasons as well, I know they are maples. (They grow in the old cemetery where I walk all year round.)
Unlike the trimmed forsythia hedges I see from home, some private gardens have forsythias that have been allowed to grow as tall as they please.
In the garden facing the main street, the same house has an impressive cherry blossom tree.
It's also dandelion time, and those can turn up almost anywhere!
"I mustn't forget, I'm alive, I know I'm alive,
I mustn't forget it tonight or tomorrow or the day after that."
Ray Bradbury, Dandelion Wine
I've mentioned (and quoted from) this book before, it's an old favourite of mine - and tends to come to mind for me when I see the first dandelions appearing in spring.
It's set in 1928, in a small town in Illinois, and inspired by the author's own childhood memories. "A magical timeless summer in the life of a twelve-year-old boy named Douglas Spaulding" . The title, Dandelion Wine, refers to the idea (or wish) of bottling memories just like home-made wine. Each chapter is like a short story in itself, with Douglas sometimes the main character and sometimes just witness of events. I think I have it as audio book as well as in print, maybe time to re-listen again...!
Love maple trees, their leaves are so colourful in Autumn, have a great week.
ReplyDeleteAmy, it's from their autumn leaves that I know what kind of trees these are!
DeleteI have read him, but not this book. Sometimes I can't tell the difference between unfolding leaves and flower buds. Forsythia are meant to spray up into the air, and I hate when people cut them into a hedge.
ReplyDeleteGinny, a hedge left to its own devices can become quite unmanagable, though! ;)
DeleteDandelion Wine has that rare ability to distil memory into something almost tangible. No wonder it returns each time the dandelions do.
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteI LOVE Ray Bradbury as much as I love blossoming trees!
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DeleteI did not know maple trees had blossoms, I thought they had only leaves.
ReplyDeleteRiver, if only seeing them from afar, I'd probably have thought the same.
DeleteIt sounds like a book I'd enjoy; if I find it on Kindle (maybe there is even a free edition, since it's a "classic"), I will download it.
ReplyDeleteSpring is so beautiful, isn't it! And through your pictures, I sort of "re-live" the earlier part of spring that is already past here.
Meike, it's a classic but not "all that" old. I doubt you'll find a free Kindle edition, but good luck! (My paperback copy is from 1976 but the book was originally published in 1957.)
DeleteI love to see dandelions, they appear everywhere and the bees love them.
ReplyDeleteCK, they're regarded as a weed but as I don't have a garden to worry about, I like them too! :)
DeleteOh, I must inspect some of our trees more closely for 'green blossom'. We have TONS of dandelions blooming here all of a sudden. The bees like them.
ReplyDeleteJenny, as we need the bees, I guess we must be grateful for the dandelions as well as the flowering trees!
DeleteOur maples do some reddish blossoms, which are now dropping all over my car parked beneath one.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, when looking things up I did see that maple blooms come in various colours. I guess there are many kinds of maples.
DeleteDente de lion, tooth of the lion! Such a pretty little flower.
ReplyDeleteI have not read Dandelion Wine, because I thought Bradbury only wrote sci-fi, which I don't care for. I will have to find a copy. Thanks for the recommendation!
You're welcome. I see you also had a recent post on your own blog about dandelions! :)
DeleteI love the house and the trees and we let ours grow as God intended unless they get in power lines . these are amazing as is that house... yay for spring time and sunshine
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra - yes, it's good to see some flowers again! :)
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