Tidal Basin Cherry Blossoms

 

Beautiful blue skies with a brisk breeze 

capped our Tidal Basin walk today.

We were sneaking in a visit today before

 some closer to home days coming up.

Iconic vistas are a reminder of why

 so many people trek to this spot in the Spring.

There is also the story of these views that are going away.

The first cherry trees were planted here

 112 years ago as a gift from the city of Tokyo.

But, there has been significant damage 

to the seawall that keeps the twice a day tides at bay.

We have been walking this basin for 36 years. 

We can see the huge change to the trees with the 

eroding soil that exposes the roots 

and the damage of continual flooding. 

Here is the mascot "Stumpy",

 who has been determined to bloom, 

no matter what the circumstances.

    Portions of the seawalls have settled as much as 5 feet

 since the late 1800's to early 1900's.

Nearly 1/2 of the cheery trees will be removed for this restoration project. It will take years for the trees to grow back for this sort of cherry blossom views. They plan to complete the project before the 250th anniversary of American Independence in 2026.

 

It has been awhile since we visited down here.

 It was good to be back.

Loved our stroll with Jonah and Sara.

(though momma had her work out today).

Still lots of giggles with this little guy.

Our walk today was all about contrasts.

The pink and white blossoms.

 The struggling old trees and the healthy, vibrant

 younger trees away from the water's edge.

You just can't beat a walk on "peak day"

 in the sun with the undulating, frothy 

blossom laden branches.

A true treasure of Washington D.C.

Newness of Life

This tiny little-leafed fern

 has popped out of a pot

 that has looked empty and without life.

I am so reminded of this new life reminder

all over the place in these Spring days.

"We were buried therefore with him
 by baptism into death, 
in order that, just as Christ 
was raised from the dead 
by the glory of the Father, 
we too might walk in newness of life."
Romans 6:4

I am very thankful that small reminders
 bring such great great HOPE.

Floral Hope

 I keep seeing signs of Spring that bring

 me so much hope in these COVID19 days.

 We try to take walks each day

 in the neighborhood.

The exuberance of flung 

open blossoms brings smiles. 

There are many having 

very hard days right now.

May some bright and colorful

blossoms bless you today

right here-

 if you don't have some of your own.

Spring Strolling

So on a beautiful April morning

 we went strolling. 

Isaiah and Gigi.

Little guy is teething and sometimes

 it just helps to chop down on bunny's ear. 

And take a nap. 

We walked for about an hour and a half.

Talking to birdies...

barking back at the doggies.

 We had a snack.

We walked some more.

Looked for pink and yellow

 and we smelled a few along the way.

We looked at the blue sky through pink.

We picked some lilacs

 in the yard and smelled them.

Oh there is nothing like

 the smell of those lilacs.

And we set a date 

for another spring stroll.

Nesting

So I have a thing for nests.

For years now I have been gathering

 them when storms send gathered bundles

 from tree or bush to the ground.

The eggs here aren't real 

and I don't know what kind 

of birds have built them.

But, they are each an individual work of art.

This was used fall leaves 

woven right into the nest.

 I actually shared some 

with daughters this spring.

Time to share the lovely.

This one has a "mud" center.

A find late winter this year.

This is a purchased nest.

Like the greens added to it.

This "nest" was made by Rebecca Ersfeld.

A vintage crochet thread 

spool base with crocheted ruffle.

And a velvet ribbon handle.

Nests just seem to go 

with lilies of the valley.

A few years back we made this

 nest at Creative Haven.

Burlap wrapped peat pot,

and vintage book fringed

 to frame the nest of spaghnum moss.

Always a way to add a breath

 of spring blessings 

with a nested twig globe.

Sometimes a photo edited in the

Waterlogue App brings a new view-

as colors gently fuse.

Oh, yes,

I will walk the grounds 

after the next windy day.

And maybe........