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.

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. :)

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.

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.

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.

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.















I found a flag plaque from the Revolutionary war!



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

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!

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*

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.











Also: the daffodils are getting taller!



Today is the last day of winter. Good riddance!

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!

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.

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.



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

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.











Spring Equinox in T-minus 6 days!

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.



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



Spring Equinox is a week from tomorrow!

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:



Then there are the war veterans:







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

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.

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*

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!

loverly

loverly, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

15 days until the Spring Equinox!

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!

icy

icy, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

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