Tuesday, March 31, 2009

out like a lamb


fancy, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

The last day of March was a delightful one. I finally found blooming crocus here in Westfield! This one was brightening up Chestnut Street. Spring is here for real, at last.

Monday, March 30, 2009

bright


bright, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

This past Saturday evening at 8:30 p.m., I turned out all the lights in my apartment, along with millions of others, for Earth Hour. I had meant to post something ahead of time, but a busy day got away from me and I didn't get around to it.

My turning off my lights for an hour didn't make much of an impact, but millions of people around the world together might have. It's a simple thing to turn off lights (and televisions, and computers) that aren't being used, yet so many of us don't do it often enough. This simple gesture reminds us not to be quite so wasteful. The world looks softer by candlelight. Plus, it gave me an excuse to use this lovely oil lamp. :)

Sunday, March 29, 2009

recent


recent, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

No, the roses aren't blooming yet... these were laid on a gravestone at Pine Hill Cemetery, left in remembrance of a loved one.

When I go, I'd rather have flowers planted over me that can be enjoyed year after year. Cut flowers are lovely, but fleeting.

Friday, March 27, 2009

like shells


like shells, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I found this interesting fungus at Heritage Park that looks like shells. It's an amazingly lovely day out today, and I was lucky to be able to get outside for a little while at lunch. Just counting down the minutes now until I can get back out there.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

bursting


bursting, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

These coppery evergreen needles (isn't that a contradiction?) were found at Stanley Park on March 17. It looked like a new planting, so hopefully this little tree will survive. I love the color, despite the fact that they should probably be green.

Monday, March 23, 2009

another old cemetery


Mary Ellis, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I visited an old cemetery in Medfield, MA yesterday. Medfield is southwest of Boston, and the cemetery dates back to colonial times. I'd driven by it many times and was glad to get the chance to explore it.

through

primitive

grinning

Ezekiel

paired

Lydia

angelic

I found a flag plaque from the Revolutionary war!

Revolutionary War Veteran

A very cool place, just full of history. I love those old slate headstones.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

cheery


cheery, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I finally found some crocuses! I had to go all the way to Medway to find these lovelies. I have yet to see any here in Westfield.

Still, spring is here, and things are blooming in Massachusetts!

Friday, March 20, 2009

Spring at last!


crocuses, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Happy Spring/Vernal Equinox! Today the night and day are equal length, and spring has officially arrived here in the northern hemisphere.

I have yet to see any crocus blooming this year. These are from a couple of years ago, April 9th '07, at Grandmothers' Garden. I keep thinking they should be blooming by now, but perhaps that's just my impatience, since these were not abloom until April. When it comes to spring, I'm worse than a kid at Christmas. *g*

Thursday, March 19, 2009

More plaques


Vietnam plaque, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I went back to the cemetery yesterday after work, and the ground had dried out enough for me to wander around looking at more of these plaques on the flags. I found Korea and Vietnam, and assorted other associations.

Disabled American Veterans plaque

Korean war plaque

DAR plaque

Fire Dept. plaque

VFW plaque

Also: the daffodils are getting taller!

reach

Today is the last day of winter. Good riddance!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

first one!


first one!, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I saw my first dandelion of the year over at Heritage Park in East Longmeadow today!

Only two days until Spring!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

batch


batch, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I found the home of stacked chairs today over at Stanley Park. I like the colors, shapes, and patterns.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

theme


theme, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

The ice has melted even from the smaller tributaries now, out in the wildlife sanctuary by Stanley Park.

Out on the paths, I was passed a couple of times by two guys on motorbikes. I took this pic when one stopped to ask me if this was a walking path, which it is. I was a bit annoyed, especially since the bikes were so loud.

interloper

They then went off on another path, and I was able to enjoy the peace of the woods again.

glance

Saturday, March 14, 2009

more signs of spring


arrange, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Out in the woods today, I came across skunk cabbage arising from the thawing ground.

spiked

allow

hood

lookout

perk

Spring Equinox in T-minus 6 days!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

sproing


sproing, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

It finally cleared up yesterday, and now that it's light out later, I went for a walk after work over to Grandmothers' Garden, where I found these daffodils poking through the newly thawed ground.

refurbish

There were other tiny green shoots coming up there, too.

poke hardly

Spring Equinox is a week from tomorrow!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

flag plaques


B.P.O.E., originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Walking around Pine Hill Cemetery the other day, I took notice of the little plaques on the flags around the grounds. I had thought they were all military, but some of them were for other organizations, like this one from the Elks.

Here is one from the American Legion:

American Legion

Then there are the war veterans:

G.A.R.

WWI

WWII

I tried to find ones from Korea and Vietnam, but it was too muddy to do much exploring on the grassy areas. Next time!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

laurel wreath


laurel wreath, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

This bronze laurel wreath is on a large memorial in Pine Hill Cemetery in Westfield. It's at least six feet off the ground, probably more, so I took this pic looking up at it.

Monday, March 09, 2009

impressive


impressive, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Yesterday was another stellar late winter/ early springlike day, so I did a lot of walking around Westfield. This is the statue of Major General William Shepard, across from the fire station near the square. He seems to be contemplating whether to walk down the street to the Big Y. *g*

Sunday, March 08, 2009

liberate


liberate, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

The daffodils are pushing out of the ground down at Stanley Park. In a few weeks, we'll have flowers!

flanked

Thursday, March 05, 2009

loverly


loverly, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

15 days until the Spring Equinox!

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

liberal use of color


liberal use of color, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Two and a half weeks till spring. I am soooooo ready! Yes, I know there's a good chance we'll still have snow after March 20th. But it'll be spring!

Monday, March 02, 2009

icy


icy, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Lots of ice & snow today. March certainly has come in like a lion!

tunnel

slide