Dearest readers, well, a week or so ago I was lamenting that the annual wild violets that I’ve come to take for granted were offering me a hard lesson: they may not be taken for granted. Not at all. Particularly midst the worst drought California has experienced in a long time. And in my many decades living here I’d never experienced the likes of months without rain, with only a faint whisper of hope that it might change. I’m certain I was not alone in praying to the Rain Gods that Be, asking for a miracle of a wet winter, even though February had arrived. And then the deluge. Last week the miracle arrived and our creeks filled to overflowing. Is it the end of drought? Perhaps not. But nearly overnight the garden was transformed. The dry grasses turned green. The roses sprouted all manner of leaves. And the violets emerged in sheer hours. Where tiny stunted stems had prevailed, pink, white and purple flowers stretched themselves at the ends of tall straight stems and we all collectively breathed a sigh of deep relief and gratitude.

The flagstones were embraced with their loveliness.

Tiny white flowers embedded themselves into previously all lavender violets. Where do they come from? I have no answer.

Curbs are suddenly graced by the beauty of a single small plant, insistent on its place in the world as I know it.

Happily, after weeks of dry winter and somber questions I’m escorted into a fertile generous reality that enables me the simple expanded pleasure of gathering this tiny bouquet, reminding me of the blessing of clear, pure water.

(i do not know what it is about you that closes
and opens;only something in me understands
the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)
nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands

e.e.cummings

I hope you are feeling abundance wherever you are…

Love and garden blessings,
Kathryn xoxo

Posted on February 11th, 2014 by Kathryn
Filed under: Plants