The waning of Eastertide

A friend of mine, in New York City, used to say that Spring had arrived for her when dogwood branches would appear at the Union Square Farmers Market. Well, Spring is here and up to a feast of shapes and colors.

Dogwoods. From top left, clockwise: a statue of the Blessed Mother behind St Augustine's Church (two picturess); a close-up of a white dogwood; a cream-colored dogwood. 

A few days ago, I spotted my first blooming iris in the gardens. Many have followed since as have the alliums. Br. Rob has graced our church with arrangements of them.

Irises. From top left, clockwise: my first iris bloom in the garden; alliums and irises arrangement near an icon of the Ascension; a close-up of an iris arrangement at the foot of the Madonna and Child statue; close-up of the alliums and irises arrangement.

Night temperatures have now moved into the fourties and fifties. It has become safe to bring wintering and indoor plants out on the porches (geraniums, jade plants and palms). I can feel cookouts on the porch coming on.

Coming out on the porches. From top left, clockwise: the geraniums that Br. Josép takes care of (indoors during the winer, outdoors for the summer): a jade plant in need of fresh air; a pink geranium near the Japanese birdbarth (in need of water); a ponytail palm (left) and a bamboo palm (right) on an outing from our indoor conservatory.

Our Brother Scott, arrived Wednesday evening from Santa Barbara where he had spent vacation time with our Br. Timothy. We are delighted to have him visit us. Today, Sunday, it is his birthday.

On Thursday, we celebrated the feast of the Ascension. We have one week left in Eastertide. I better get ready to preach for Pentecost Sunday.

From top left, clockwise: alliums and tulips in the kitchen garden; new garden furniture on the little gravel terrace; Br. Scott on his birthday (center row); a little cascade on the yellow trail in the nearby John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary.

Be safe. Get vaccinated when you can. It opens up life and saves lives on top of it.