There was a dead ant floating inside the teapot yesterday morning, the arrival of such yet another sure-fire harbinger of Spring. This particular teapot has a very narrow spout, which makes it rather nice if you make pour-over coffee. It also ensures that something like a mouse will not be squeezing inside of it, which may sound rather far-fetched to some, but believe me, it is weirdly, unpleasantly possible (see Would You Like Some Mice With That? 5/18/2011). Apparently ants have no problem traveling down the long stem of a teapot. I can safely say that always looking inside your tea or coffee pot before refilling is sound advice.

There have been so many thoughts and musings provoked by recent events swirling around my brain that I have been wanting to put down to words, yet I am distracted by the blossoming, the scents and sounds of the season. While not intending to turn this into a gardening/blossom/insect photo dump, I can’t help but want to share the things that keep turning my head.

The Daffodils have completed their show, leaving little deflated sun-balloons behind.

Today is May Day, also known as Beltane; a celebration of fertility, as we have passed the spring equinox and move steadily towards the summer solstice. I have gravitated out to The Urban Porch, enjoying what has been a string of shimmering, gorgeous weather. The windows are open – fresh air circulates throughout the house, chasing away the last of winter’s thickness with sweet breezes. It is so good for mental health to be outside. Things are popping and then leafing out in such rapid succession that it is almost impossible to keep up with it all.

All this vibrancy is in sharp juxtaposition to the decaying condition of The Urban Porch, which has been steadily rotting away for years. I have no control over this situation – while this is my “home,” it is technically not my “house.” Wishful, magical thinking has not changed the circumstances, and I imagine it probably will remain the status quo – unless the porch collapses. Adorning the porch with seasonal flora and looking to the beauty beyond it is a way of emotionally coping with the sorry and somewhat depressing deterioration.

But oh, that view of the cherry tree!!! The majestic cherry across the street is hands down the nicest one in the neighborhood. Its size is so generous that it obscures the entire front of the cat-lady’s house. Large bubble-gum pom-poms dangle heavily above. Just about everyone walking by slows down to admire, brush their fingers along the the blooms, take a photo. It has reached the point today where the emerging leaves are competing with the blossoms. Petals should be falling soon, once again leaving a soft mauve blanket on the street (see West Wind 5/13/2015).

Ferns have unfurled around the Japanese Maple

Dicentra wears a string of hearts on its sleeve.

In celebration of the day, the dogwood to the left of The Urban Porch has fully flowered. As dusk falls, the glowing florets almost appear to hover untethered in the air.

The dogwood two doors down on the right dances in ballet pink.

Sauntering along the sidewalk with little Rudi on our walk today provided a blast of dreamy lilac perfume from over a neighbor’s fence.

They also have planted a swath of linen-white tulips in front of their house – so crisp and visually pleasing!

Redbud trees are flowering throughout the neighborhood, candy floss threads embroidered across the sky.

Over the last two days there has been a glorious scent wafting around the porch. Lily-of-the-Valley sends its sweet attar throughout the air, providing olfactory triggers prompting memories of times long ago.

For a few days I left food out for the pregnant/or nursing squirrel who had been “splooting.” I have not seen her lately – perhaps she is busy with young in her nest. The House Sparrows are back at it in their usual spot in the soffit above the corner post, darting back and forth with bits of fluff and gossamer. Songs from the Carolina Wren open the morning, the call and response of Northern Cardinals close the day.

While sitting on The Urban Porch typing this over the last hour or so, more than one pregnant young woman has walked by. Babies! Such a fertile time of year!

The carpenter bees arrived right on time, doing their dive-bombing mating dance and making an aggressive show by hovering (harmlessly) in your face. As I sit there observing them, it is of note that they are taking particular interest in the disintegrating porch railing. Perhaps they will hurry the demise along! Oh, and the first Yellow Jacket of the season made a few zippy passes by my chair. I chased it off with a spritz of peppermint oil and water from a spray bottle, which will remain at arm’s reach from now on.

As the afternoon winds down and the sun heats up the west-facing porch, Rudi begins to pace and pant, searching for a shady spot behind a flower pot, and so we have moved inside. An ant walks across the hallway floor carrying something larger than itself – perhaps dinner. Small observations. I will continue to share them with you.

Happy May Day, Happy Beltane!

~*~