Tag: False Spring

Second False Spring 2024

Dear Liza,

After such a cold winter, it’s really not surprising that spring takes a few tries to get going. Last week, after a week or so of very cold and windy weather, we had three days of knock-your-socks-off sunshine. Our Second False Spring.

I got to see a bunch of these lovelies as I walked to fetch cousin Kestrel from school. Here are some daffodils blooming alongside local artist Mike Bennett’s dinosaur.

The crocuses are up, and you see those fat leaves? They are going to be tulips!

I can never remember the name of this bush with tiny urn shaped flowers, but it sure smells good!

I think this is forsythia… tall and gawky, but celebrating spring (even a bit early) deserves my respect.

And finally, the sun shone beautifully in this small neighborhood horse. I don’t think he gets much work, but he looks good.

And now we will be back to rain and snow for a bit. Be patient!

Love,

Grandma Judy

False Summer into False Fall

Dear Liza,

Our summer-like heat has given way to cool, cloudy drizzle. This is a well-known pattern here in Portland. People ask, “Which false summer are we on now?” Or “Is it real summer yet?”

All this on-again-off-again heat and wet is fine, as long as you can adapt to it. Don’t put your boots away yet. Keep the umbrella handy. Keep the watering can by the door.

When it started to rain the other day after a hot, dry week, the wave of that smell we call “rain” was overwhelming. It made me part of the rain and the earth and the plants.

It felt like such an important thing, I came home certain that there must be a specific word for it. And there is! The word is PETRICHOR. (Say PET-Ri-Kor). The word was invented in 1964 by Australian scientists to describe the smell of earth, moisture, and plant oils being released into the air.

Our current cool spell is predicted to last for another week, giving all the gardens a chance to slow their growth a bit. The roses will stay fresh and the lettuce won’t bolt.

At least until real Summer comes along !

Love,

Grandma Judy