spring
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Spring flowers bloom briefly. We take them in.Lilacs— their fragrance, soft on the eye.In the 1960s neighbors grew them everywhere— then spring gave way and they were gone.I planted lilacs in this place: a fresh start rooted in memory.Enough to share— now they line the street.Before summer’s heat, we pause, breathe them in again, and… Read more
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In a capricious spring, freezing air settles in overnight.Apple trees, pollinating all week, are not finished.In blue darkness, temperature holds near thirty.At first light branches wait, blossoms open… or maybe not. Copyright © 2026 Paul Deaton. All rights reserved. Read more
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Songbirds are arriving: sparrows, cardinals, blue jays, crows, woodpeckers, and more. In winter, geese dominated the lakes. Some remain year-round, but now they are joined by pelicans, gulls, and a variety of waterfowl moving through on the great migration. The number and variety of birds will grow in the weeks ahead. Spring is literally in… Read more
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When the repair shop returned the John Deere yard tractor, the right rear tire would not hold air. I removed it and ran it across the lakes to the tire shop. The diagnosis came back air was escaping through the sidewall due to rubber deterioration and the tire needed to be replaced. According to the… Read more
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Editor’s Note: This post from 2011 expresses my feelings about Memorial Day better than anything I could write today. A soldier feels a sense of connection to his country that is like few other things. That connection is to current events, but to the lives of past soldiers as well. Being a soldier can be… Read more
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After several days of rain, Friday was a clear day for gardening. The cruciferous vegetable plot is fully planted, the next large plot is cleared, and I cut weeds so I can access the compost bins more easily. I lit the first burn pile of the season. The plot with the burn pile needs mowing… Read more
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There is a golden spring season from the appearance of first buds to full leafing out of deciduous trees, flowers, and bushes. Later in May, insects descend upon us and start spoiling the pure beauty of trees especially, but every living plant in our yard. A gardener does the best they can to keep them… Read more
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This year should be a good year for apples and pears. Every tree has a lot of blooms, including the two newly planted “replacement” trees. Some days it’s good to just view this fleeting event during which we pray for frost to hold off, pollination to occur, and a bountiful crop. Read more
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Here are some shots from around the yard for April 20, 2025. Few things speak of spring like newly budded and flowering plants. They provide hope on a cloudy and dark day. Read more
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I went on walkabout to capture a bit of spring. Here are four photos from my journey. Read more
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