In Search of Blossom

Firstly, to those of you who are new to this blog, I'd like to explain that I used to have a number of blogs. A few months ago I decided to bring all my blogs together into this space. This little story about blossom is the kind of post I would previously have put on 'Kites Are Fun' blog. I just wanted to explain why it's a little bit different to my usual kinds of posts.

Also, there is a giveaway at the end of the page for a small celebration!

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I could feel that change was just about to happen. I could see it. Tiny little buds of green growth everywhere. It had been another week of wet, grey days. I knew that if I put some of those little buds in a jar of water I’d be able to have some spring growth on my desk. And so I went in search of blossom. I walked through the roads, in the rain, to my green space. I didn’t go my usual route along the canal; I went into the big open ‘woodland’ paths. It’s an industrial sort of area with old waterworks leaving huge slabs of concrete. But nature doesn’t mind and has made her home there.

I inspected trees and bushes to see which had the most potential within their buds. There weren’t any blossom trees, but I found a willow with big white fluffy buds covered in rain. Perfect. As I walked through the paths I could hear all manner of bird song. I stopped to try and see which birds where in the trees. I saw two woodpeckers flitting between the trees together, stopping to find grubs at each tree. I watched them for a little while with willow in my hand and then began my journey home.

We got a sunny day. I knew that real change was underway. Those tiny buds I had seen around the streets would be turning into blossom. As I sat and wrote my essays, the sun shone outside. I’d been watching a blossom tree in the church yard. I’d seen the pink buds during the grey and rainy week. Pink buds hanging down like droplets. I knew that there would now be flowers on it now. I opened the windows to let the breeze blow through. The sun was getting ready to set and I couldn’t let that sunny day pass by, without taking a look at my blossom tree.

I walked over to the church yard and there it was. A mass of beautiful, delicate, pale pink flowers. I went back twice in the week just to look at those flowers. Those flowers which every year bring me so much joy, for when I look at them, I know that spring has arrived.

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In celebration of this being Today I Saw's 500th post I'd like to offer this little watercolour painting of blossom to one reader. Just leave a comment before Friday the 4th March and I'll choose a winner at random. Thank you for keeping me company for 500 posts!