Weekend Street/Reflections

 

Another sunny early spring afternoon today, and I went for a walk downtown to the city park (Borås, Sweden).

 

They have recently finished a project of reconstructing some of the paths within the park (to make some of the upper parts more easily accessible, I think - but I did not go up to the top to explore that further today).

 

I often walk here, so regular visitors to this blog will no doubt recognise some of the views and buildings - but I can never resist taking yet another photo on a good "reflection" day...

 

Besides what happens in nature, one of the true signs of spring is to see the terraces of the street cafés along the river full of people again...

 

... and also people sitting on park benches, and on the stone steps leading down to the water.

 

This is a bit blurry because it's a selfie reflection photo taken towards one of the curved and tinted windows in the café building in the park.

 

 The big green bunny is looking a bit extra sad as he seems to have damaged one eye over winter.

 

 

Could this be the smallest crocus in the world?? It was only about the size of my thumbnail, and definitely the smallest one I've ever seen in this corner of the world, anyway...  I might also add that it was also the only crocus in bloom that I found on my walk today.

 

I also passed by these snow drops planted along the river on my way back home, though. 

 

Linking to Weekend/Street Reflections #215

Yellow Crocuses

 

Yay Hooray! I spotted the first yellow crocuses today, in a sunny spot in an old cemetery. (Not the one where I usually walk, but an older one, situated a bit closer to the city centre.)

In the thawing heart of winter's chill,
Beneath the snow, a secret thrill.
A tender shoot, a splash of light,
Yellow crocuses bloom so bright.

They whisper tales of spring's return,
As icy grips of cold adjourn.
With petals spread like sunlit rays,
They end the white and wintry days.

A golden bloom with velvet touch,
Their beauty speaks, yet says not much.
For in their silence lies the power,
To herald spring's triumphant hour.

So let the yellow crocuses come,
And with their bloom, let spring succumb.
For they are nature's gentle spies,
Announcing winter's sweet demise.

 (Yes. It's another poem generated by Bing Copilot.)

Keep Calm and Count Crocuses

Just putting in a quick(?) post to show that I'm still "here" - and have managed to escape the dreaded virus so far. Meanwhile, since last week, the number of corona/Covid19 cases has kept increasing rapidly in Sweden as well as in a lot of other countries. Here, it has now spread to every region of Sweden and is probably no longer limited to only people who caught it abroad. So the authorities have raised the precautions, even if not yet to the same extent as some other countries. Schools are still kept open here; but all gatherings involving 500 people or more have been banned. Some places like old people's homes are closed to visitors; and anyone coming down with any type of symptoms is urged to stay home from work. 

For my own part, I have no job or other "duties" to worry about these days (and currently also no symptoms of virus infection). But I sort of put myself in semi-quarantine anyway this week - trying to basically keep away from all unnecessary risks. I've been out on walks for air and exercise, but have avoided shops and getting together with other people (I had no such plans anyway). I ordered groceries online, and had no need to go anywhere else.

So - one day/week at a time; but just at the moment I'm not really worried for myself, but more for others who are faced with a lot more serious daily challenges and choices related to this situation. So I do follow the news a lot more than usual, as there have been constant updates and press conferences all week. And in a situation like this, I think it's important to keep updated with the advice from one's local and national authorities rather than trusting every article and tip from unknown sources passed around in social media.

The weather today has been awful - strong wind (storm at the coast I think), combined with rain and slush. I managed to get out for a very short walk in the afternoon though (during a short break in the rain), and then I saw the crocuses above, growing quite close to where I live. They reminded me that in spite of everything, spring is on its way!  

Spring

So good to see spring flowers again!

The crocuses I found on the south side of the town park.

And these snowdrops (and more) in a private garden (zoomed in!):

In the Town Park it looks rather like a circus tent has pitched camp. The building under construction is still fenced in and covered in plastic wrappings. It’s going to be a round conservatory, and will be housing a new environmental information centre + a café.

Here Comes the Sun

Here comes the sun (doo doo doo doo)
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right

♫ Listen to the Beatles singing it at YouTube ♫

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes

                                   Please notice the hoverfly! ▲ 

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear

Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right
It's all right

---

Yesterday we had the first really warm and sunny spring day of the kind when in the afternoon you see some people still in their winter coats, and others wearing tank tops!!!

But no matter what they’re wearing, Everyone is OUT THERE, turning their faces to the sun.