teeny tiny

teeny tiny, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I found these teeny tiny little flowers down at Stanley Park this afternoon.

snowdrops

snowdrops, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Spring can't be far away - the snowdrops are blooming!

scrunched

scrunched, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Autumn leaves left in a pile, then plowed to the side after a snowstorm.

September and January

autumn avenue, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Two views of the same spot.



Stanley Park, Westfield, MA

emerge

DSCN4036, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

The holly plant behind my office is buried in snow, but bits of it peek out from the massive snowbank.

winter vision

winter vision, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Yes, I'm tired of winter. But it sure is pretty.

sick of winter

tall, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I've reached the part of winter I call, "Enough already." Too much snow (and more forecast for next week), single digit and below zero temperatures, and dangerous wind chills.

So here is some spring and summer to cheer us.

















More in my Floral Splendour set on Flickr.

Stay warm! Dream of spring.

a year on the river

a year on the river, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

All through the seasons on the Little River in the wildlife sanctuary at Stanley Park.

the final 35

the final 35, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Today was day 365. I've taken at least one picture every day for an entire year!

merry merry

merry lamppost, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I hope all who celebrated had a very lovely Christmas. We're expecting snow here today. Any minute now...

a little later each day

a little later each day, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

The winter solstice was yesterday evening, so going forward (until the summer solstice) the days will get a little longer each day. This is welcome news in this time of dark and cold, and the reason why so many cultures have festivals of light and birth at this time of year.

State Normal Training School

State Normal Training School, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

This old building on Washington Street in Westfield is what would eventually become Westfield State, before the college moved to its present location on Western Ave.
(Normal Schools were teacher training schools. See the Wikipedia article.)

spray of red

spray of red, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

This tree looks decorated for the season, on the corner of Court and Pleasant Streets in Westfield.

the reeds have turned to gold

the reeds have turned to gold, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

At the wildlife sanctuary at Stanley Park.

Month 11 - 330 days

Month 11, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Only 35 days to go!

One pic in this mosaic is from September, because I forgot to add it to the set. It's the one on the lower left, where the trees look incongruously green.

winter approaches

offering, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Most flora in these parts have dropped their leaves, spread their seeds, and entered hibernation for the winter.







But then, some seem confused about what season it is.

memorial

memorial, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Thank you all veterans, past and present, for keeping us free.

November roses

DSCN2504, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.