*under construction*


27 May 2009

Purple Rain...

Nothing heralds in the Seasons around here better or quite as beautiful - no, make that magical -- as the Jacaranda Tree


Poor Tired Husband, hailing from a land of 4 obvious seasons, likes to harp that there are no seasons out here - I shrug and reply that he's simply not paying close enough attention.


Each and every Spring, the moon sets on a winter-bare Jacaranda dressed in only her graceful skeletal branches and when the sun rises, she is donning a stunning Spring robe of lightly scented delicate purple flowers -

It is my favorite flowering tree here in my little world...

And lucky for me -- they are everywhere I look and go.

They turn the local scenery into living Art...

And the beauty turns my knees to jelly.

My heart beats faster, my step is lighter --

Spring most assuredly sprung and Summer is on her way in --
(are you paying attention there, Poor Tired Husband?)


Fragile, and fleeting like Spring always seems to be -



The fickle flower filled tree discards her Spring robe


Descending to the Earth, the petals lay a carpet like no other ...


So many see it as nothing more than a mess --

I don't share that sentiment.

I am completely smitten by the ethereal quality

and other-worldly beauty

of the carpet of fallen blossoms

It is simply gorgeous -

and a true testament to how short the time is

that they, and Spring, grace us

with their beauty.

As quickly as they arrived -- they're gone again --

Pods replace the flowers... and lush green leaves sprout and grow -- taking their turn as the new dress of the Jacaranda ...

Pushing the last purple to the wind ...

Green will soon be the the color of the day ...

The limbs -- once bare, and then filligreed with soft purple flowers will soon be heavily laden with lush foliage...

Offering a nice dappled shade -- the perfect place to read or nap -- The Jacaranda will offer respite from the blazing sun all summer long.

So, just like day follows night, the seasons pass -
Spring is dancing one of her last beautiful dances of the year--
*
Leaving behind a trail of purple rain to remember her by ...

16 comments:

My Notting Hill said...

These photos are breathtaking. I don't believe I've ever seen a Jacaranda tree in person. Stunning.

Renae Moore said...

Oh ISA....lovely...I so adore purple and need desperately to put some more in my yard. I have a wee bit of lavender but will have to add a variety of other purples!
Blessings...

Millie said...

Isa I grew up in a street full of Jacarandas, so your exquisite post has brought the memories flooding back! And yes, your description of 'a carpet of blooms' couldn't be more perfect - that's exactly as my darling Mum always described it.
Millie ^_^

Miss Kris said...

Oooh Isa...So lovely to see the moon set in your little world. And, a beautiful new day with the dawn of these breathtaking lavender petals!!! We are not that lucky here in the midwest...tell your tired husband...I LOVE your seasons!!!Oooo...

~Miss Kris~

Marlene said...

Oh how I love those trees when I go to Santa Barbara to shop and they are in bloom...breathtaking! and your photos are just as beautiful! Cambria weather I think is too cold..but they do have a few in SLO...Thank you for sharing those fabulous photos! Marlene

Alicia said...

aaaah jacaranda trees...
Here in Scottsdale they're in bloom as well but my love goes back to the mids 70s when as a child we lived in South Africa & they proliferated the landscape.
Purple rain indeed.
Thank you for the lush images.

donna baker said...

Isa you've done it. I spent the last hour it seems looking through your lists of blogs, listening to your music all the while and I am just blown away by it all. I think my head might explode. You and your friends are an incredible lot. Thanks for the trip. And for the Jacaranda tree, I read a poem or story about one once; maybe for children. Beautiful.

the wild raspberry said...

this is one of the loveliest posts i have EVER seen.
the tree is lovely,
the architecture~breathtaking and your words of description....just perfection!!
i think i'll go read it again.
have a wonderful day.
chasity

niartist said...

Beautiful pictures, beautiful verse - of course it would be! :) Great post. Welcome back!

Helen said...

You have brought this tree to life for everyone looking at your photos, reading your words. I love the way you use vibrant color to contrast your subjects. What a gift!

The Bliss Journey said...

Beautiful photos. We have those trees here in Florida. They remind me of the lilacs that I had in Pa. Thanks for sharing your purple rain.
Kathleen

Nadine @ BDG said...

that entry was magic.

cotedetexas said...

the prettiest pictures ever? maybe. absolutely gorgeous.

stacie errera said...

You have a wonderful eye, and your images are dreamy.

Scarlett Fiona Reed said...

Those photos are amazing! Thanks for sharing.

Debra Lea said...

OMG wow...that's so beautiful!! I've never seen one of those beautiful trees before..I wonder if they will grow here (vegas).. Beautiful pictures!