I love this, and it is, in a way, how I tell time.
I remember vividly in spring 2020, when everything had shut down and there felt like there was no time—or nothing to mark it, I watched the daffodils bloom and the rhubarb leaf out and the forsythia burst into a fountain of yellow. It's how time progressed, and in a time when nothing was normal and I wasn't sure what was normal any more, I'd notice the rhubarb sending out it's first leaf and my Facebook memories would show me within a day, my own wonder and delight in that over a decade.
There's an expression in Swedish along these lines that I adore. It is “Closed between hägg [a kind of flower that blooms before lilacs do] and lilac”. (”Stängt mellan hägg och syren”.) The story is that a shoemaker posted this on his door, to make it clear to his customers when he had gone on vacation and when he was coming back…
Quite lovely. We don't have very marked seasons where I live, but I think I could still tell the time this way, or learn to do so. Crocuses are heaven.
Beautiful! Since moving out to our Maine homestead, we often find ourselves telling time by natural events. Right now, it’s maple syrup season. Also mud season 🤣 Spring Peeper season (the earliest tiny frogs to sing) is nearly here, and there will be Greening Season, Apple Blossom Season, Beach Season…💕
Ah! So beautiful. Spring is so hopeful for me. I like the idea of not relying on man-made ways to determine an old season has passed and a new season is beginning… If we try to live more in the moment, more connected to life around us, we can FEEL the seasons changing.
In my own life, a season is changing for me as I prepare to move back to my childhood state. It’s not marked by calendars but by an inner season of reflection and renewal.
Beautiful! Here in Tokyo, the plum blossom has mostly fallen and while we wait for the cherry blossom to arrive, we're lucky enough to enjoy some lovely camelias. I love the idea of marking time via the progress of the seasons and the blooming of flowers.
I love this, and it is, in a way, how I tell time.
I remember vividly in spring 2020, when everything had shut down and there felt like there was no time—or nothing to mark it, I watched the daffodils bloom and the rhubarb leaf out and the forsythia burst into a fountain of yellow. It's how time progressed, and in a time when nothing was normal and I wasn't sure what was normal any more, I'd notice the rhubarb sending out it's first leaf and my Facebook memories would show me within a day, my own wonder and delight in that over a decade.
There's an expression in Swedish along these lines that I adore. It is “Closed between hägg [a kind of flower that blooms before lilacs do] and lilac”. (”Stängt mellan hägg och syren”.) The story is that a shoemaker posted this on his door, to make it clear to his customers when he had gone on vacation and when he was coming back…
I work with people who have had strokes. This morning, we read your wonderful piece. It was just what we both needed! Thank you!
I think of this as tree time. Slowing down, noticing each small new change, and after a while the season has advanced from one to the next.
Love it! Profound. “This is how I want to tell time!” Me too!
Aaaahhhh, if we marked time by the natural signs around us, we'd all be a lot calmer.
Quite lovely. We don't have very marked seasons where I live, but I think I could still tell the time this way, or learn to do so. Crocuses are heaven.
Beautiful! Since moving out to our Maine homestead, we often find ourselves telling time by natural events. Right now, it’s maple syrup season. Also mud season 🤣 Spring Peeper season (the earliest tiny frogs to sing) is nearly here, and there will be Greening Season, Apple Blossom Season, Beach Season…💕
Beautiful. Love this! And yes to tell time by nature speaks to me as well. Thank you.
Absolutely resonate!!!
Ah! So beautiful. Spring is so hopeful for me. I like the idea of not relying on man-made ways to determine an old season has passed and a new season is beginning… If we try to live more in the moment, more connected to life around us, we can FEEL the seasons changing.
In my own life, a season is changing for me as I prepare to move back to my childhood state. It’s not marked by calendars but by an inner season of reflection and renewal.
I always love your essays. So beautifully done!
Back in the day, this IS how people told time.
I love this story. What a gentle reminder to pause and breathe in the sights and sounds around you. I always savor my time with nature. 🌷
beautiful!
Love the Iris flowers
Beautiful! Here in Tokyo, the plum blossom has mostly fallen and while we wait for the cherry blossom to arrive, we're lucky enough to enjoy some lovely camelias. I love the idea of marking time via the progress of the seasons and the blooming of flowers.