And the Earth Rejoices . . .

By Vickilane

"And over walls and earth and trees and swinging sprays and tendrils the fair green veil of tender little leaves had crept, and in the grass under the trees . . . and here and there everywhere were touches or splashes of gold and purple and white . . .

". . . and the trees were showing pink and snow . . . and there were fluttering of wings and faint sweet pipes and humming and scents and scents. And the sun fell warm . . ."

That's a bit fromThe Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett  -- one of my favorite childhood books which I've just been re-reading. The book captures beautifully the magical reawakening of the Earth in springtime.
And while I don't have a secret garden with tall stone walls and roses running wild, there is beauty on every hand just now.

Crocuses and star magnolia . . .

The yellow bells of the forsythia . . .

Tight-curled chartreuse buds of the wild spice bush . . .

And the jaunty catkins of the black pussy willow doff their caps to the approaching spring