How are you feeling? Are you getting ready for warmer weather? Do you need to get out and about and enjoy yourself more?

We have been cooped up for over a year now. It’s time to get out! My husband and I had both of our vaccines against COVID-19. We’re ready to go out to dinner, lunch or to travel a little further than our back deck as nice as it is. We spend plenty of time there all summer and part of the fall.

It is a wonderful feeling to feel safer and well so far. We didn’t have any serious complications after the second vaccine, thank God, as some have experienced. We are feeling well, other than the usual aches and pains of old age, and want to get out and enjoy the warmer weather that is here. Each day is a little warmer than the previous one. Of course, being in New England there is always a surprise. Wait a second and the weather will change to cold again. But at least now into April we know that it won’t last.

My plants are feeling the same about getting out. They are growing by leaps and bounds and need to spread their leaves and vines and feel the sun on them to produce their gorgeous flowers.

Both these plants above will be placed on our back deck for the summer and brought in again in the fall before the freezing temperatures return. The Passion Flower plant is a vine that will grow and cover anything around it. We have to watch it and cut it back every so often. It can take over a yard in no time. It reminds me of the vines that we have in our yard and in the pond – Bittersweet. It was introduced to USA in 1880 and has become invasive to trees and anything in its way in order to grow. There are two kinds of Bittersweet – one that is innocuous and the other that is invasive. We have the invasive type in our yard and in the pond. How do I know this? Well, it has killed trees by smothering them with its vines and choking the life out of them. It is a sad thing to see. I try each year to cut it back but it fights its way to full strength the next year. I fear for my white birch trees that are not strong enough to stand against it. Here is some more information about Bittersweet. Here is more information about Passion Flowers.

While these plants are in the house only the Hibiscus flowered, producing two lovely flowers recently. It knows it’s time to go outside so it can flower profusely. The Passion Flower plant has not blossomed at all. It needs warmer temps than are in my house at this time.

Below is my Peace Lily plant that we once had in a fish tank to aid the fish. We do not have that fish tank anymore and decided to plant it in a pot. It seems happier now. It is beginning to show a blossom (white) that lasts for several days.

Outside I can see some trees budding and preparing for warmer weather.

I love the spring even though it is not my favorite time of year. The fall is still my favorite. But the spring brings us so many beautiful beginnings to enjoy – budding trees, daffodils, tulips, crocuses and greening up of grass. I will share some photos soon of the pond in the back of our house when it begins to green up. It’s lovely. The cattails grow tall and sway in the summer breezes and give shelter to the beautiful red-winged blackbirds.

I don’t have a photo in my library of a red-winged blackbird but will snap a photo the next time I see one.

Please stop by again to see the new photos of birds, flowers, trees in full summer array and other things that I snap along the way. Nice to have you stop by today.

Blessings & Hugs! Stay Safe, Stay Well and God Bless!

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Janice Spina aka J.E. Spina

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Jemsbooks for All Ages!

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BARNES & NOBLE

BARNES & NOBLE (18+ NOVELS)