Lesson From the Lilies

I never know what I'll find when I take my morning garden walk. It's kind of like an Easter egg hunt because I am always surprised by a serendipitous bloom that has appeared overnight. This morning, I found two new little jewels in the daylily bed. Because I am an abstract random individual, I have not kept track of the kinds of daylilies I have planted over the years. And so, when they burst forth, it is a wonderfully new adventure each time. 
I have walked the daylily journey over many years. Some of my plants came from the yard of my dear Aunt Minnie who lived to nearly 100 years and influenced me greatly. Others of my plants came from my father's garden, nurtured lovingly by his capable hands. I brought several plants from my own garden in Brandon and some, I just bought because I liked the color and variety. This year, I have a particularly prolific crop because we have had so much rain in the past three weeks. Daylilies are a metaphor for me of the importance of each individual day. Each flower opens in the morning and lasts for only one day. And so, it becomes very important to embrace the moment and be present for what is in the here and now. 

OK Hummers, We're Ready For You

I know it may seem silly and very premature but we are ready for the hummingbirds whose return is at least two months away. Although many hummingbirds winter in Florida, ours leave before the end of October. We live in a very cold part of Florida where there is ice on the cars almost every morning in winter if the temperature dips into the thirties. The birds seem to know just when to pack their little suitcases for warmer climates.
We monitor the Hummingbird Migration Map online and start to get very excited when the birds are spotted in the southern portion of the state. Last year, our birds arrived on March 1 even though some years they have arrived later than that. Today, we planted six coral honeysuckle vines on the front arbor because they come to those flowers as soon as they arrive. Even if we have freezing weather, the honeysuckle thrives so we felt safe planting them now even though it is officially still winter. We often hear the hummers before we actually see them. They make a very high-pitched chirping sound that is unmistakable. Stay tuned. You'll hear it here first!!