Arkansas Spring!

Hi everyone!

I want you to know that we are still here, still hanging on! Life in Arkansas is good! We have been enjoying the warming spring weather, and things have reached what I refer to as the "green explosion". We live in the north central part of the state, and we have a very definite 4 seasons.

Spring is really my favorite time of the year. I enjoy all the seasons in their own right, but after the several months of winter, one thing I love is the emergence of life. I get to see it in a couple of phases. Driving to Conway for school, I am traveling about 60 miles to the south, AND I am dropping some significant altitude. It is surprising how much of a difference that makes in the shift into Spring.

As I drive down our county road to the Highway, we may still have barren trees, pockets of snow, and signs that winter has refused to release its icy grip, and could come roaring back at a moments notice. But I get into Conway, and there are trees leafing out, daffodils, crocus and other spring flowers starting to open up.

Then, the drive into Batesville ( to the North-east)starts to take on a distinct greenish hue, and you sense a "fuzziness" to the outline of tree branches on the hillsides across the valleys. This "tint" may last for several days, taking on a stronger greenish tone with each passing day, and then, "suddenly" you look out across the landscape.....

And you can no longer see the outline of the trees, grass that yesterday (or so it seemed) was showing more dead brown, has now sprouted fresh green blades, and you are bombarded with more shades of green than you can imagine. And the flowers! Call me a pansy if you want, but preferrably just plant one! I simple marvel at the beautiful colors that nature includes in this explosion of new life. Daffodils, crocus and the like function as the first sure sign that spring is here. They grow so well here, that places where old homesteads once stood, and the trees have taken it back, will have beautiful, "groomed-looking" rows of these luscious spring blossoms.

Some of my favorite trees are the ones like the Eastern Red Bud, and the variations of Dogwood which blossom with spectacular energy before they put on their green mantle. The shades of purple, yellow and glossy white make Western states landscapers jealous, and these are just "floating" all over the hillsides. Naturally, many people, (like me!), want to have these bright cheery colors close to home as well.

We have been in a ten year slow program of trying to add one or several colorful enhancements to our yard, or even the woods around us, in an effort to make spring really POP. Nature doesn't need much help around here, but we at least try to choose locations. We have lined our driveway with several varieties of spring blooms, and circled trees with daffodils, crocus, tulips and lilies. Grape Hyacinth sprung up in our yard this month, and neither of us remember planting bulbs. We will gladly welcome and nourish this new, pleasant recruit.

I simply love the Arkansas Spring!