Okay, I know that Shakespeare wasn't referring to U.P. winters when he penned his opening line of Richard the Third. I suppose some scholars might take exception to my use of it to open a post designed to combat the effects of such winters. To them I apologise, but point out that in my opinion, Shakespeare himself would not be much offended by me using his famous line in this way. He was the one that publicly joined the words winter and discontent after all. He clearly did not care for winters overmuch. He had no inkling of course that in the distant future, Yoopers and many of their neighbours would know from bitter experience that the words winter and discontent are naturally linked. Duh! (I think Shakespeare might translate 'duh' to be, "the observation we have made of it hath not be little.") **
Whatever his thought on the matter, I thought the phrase was perfect to open a post of beauty and color during a season when so many northerners are yearning for some of that very thing.
I hope this peek into the plants of N.Z. will give momentary relief, if you happen to be suffering in a white-outed, thermostatically challenged, world.
Above and below, flax plants at the Duckpond.
This is one of my favorites. I call it a splash plant. Unfortunately, when the Te Aroha Church put in new driveways, these were destroyed. I've never seen any others.
Just a note about this flower. I learned about it just recently, by reading A Forager's Treasury, by Johanna Knox. It is Carpobrotus edulis, aka the ice plant. It is actually an invasive species from South Africa. (Yes, it's listed as edible, depending on how hungry you are)
(I bought the book from our library for 33 cents. I love a bargain.)
Like miniature fireworks going off, I think, frozen in time.
I wish I could have misted this flower before taking this picture. This was taken at Amiri's school, Glen Eden Intermediate, when we toured it before he started his first year there.
Hang in there, Northerners. Your days are getting longer already. Spring Is coming. -djf
** Shakespeare translator site:
The abundance and variety of flowers you have in bloom now is astounding! I remember when you posted that raindrop flower picture - one of my favorites as well! Yes spring is coming and we've had some relatively mild weather in Lansing - and NO SNOW! yet. The current blizzard system currently moving from the southwest is predicted to just miss us. The weather in fact has been so mild that it appears as though some of my neighbors bulbs are sprouting! If that's the case I'll have to protect my own tulip bulbs from the deer making a snack of them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the beautiful pictures!
I'm glad you enjoyed them!
ReplyDeleteThese flowers are so gorgeous. It just lifts my spirits knowing that there will be lovely flowers soon in the Spring here also. It is hard to pick a favorite from these exquisite choices. I still think the blue flowers were my favorite. McKenzie
ReplyDeleteWell, I realise that looking at few flower pictures is a poor substitute for spring, but it's all I have to give you. I'm glad you liked them.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkRok3k7lFU Did you ever watch Red Green with me?
ReplyDeleteYou have brought up such a nice memory for me. Of course we did.
ReplyDeleteThe Canadians in general are real experts in living with winter and Red Green in particular knew how to show the world how he dealt with it.
Thanks for reminding me.