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 ...