Lilac & Apple Blossom Day

Last Saturday, two weeks of precarious health events ended with Ted and I spending a few hours in the Emergency department of NHH. I would never have dreamed that a week later, we would be looking for lilac and apple blossoms. Ted was taken off of a medication cold turkey, a method not advised but was deemed the safest option. He endured some crappy nights, including one where he wanted to rip his skin off, but it looks like we've come out the other end. It looks like better days are ahead.

This morning, he wanted to go looking for apple blossoms and lilacs.

It didn't take long to find apple blossoms!

Our intention was to wend our way to Picton. Signs of spring were bountiful. We'd never seen baby swans before. These were near the entrance to Presqu'ile Park.

The Millenium Trail was calling to me as we drove towards Consecon. I was surprised when Ted agreed to get out of the comfortable truck and walk. It felt to me like we'd rewound our life's reel this morning, and we were back to when we used to hike together. There was a spring in Ted's step that I haven't seen in many months.

And, the trail's edge was littered with blooming wild strawberries!

And, there's my favourite hiking buddy.

With a spring in his step.

Choke cherry blossoms. Some of the raindrops are bigger than the buds.

And, there they are! Lilacs! Today's sponsor. Can you smell them?

Ted could. And did.

Oh, and nice glasses!

Just in case you couldn't smell our sponsor, maybe this image will help. Photography and painting are all about the light and this morning's light was perfect.

The forests along the Millenium Trail were singing with life. We even saw an American Redstart.

Trilliums are on their last legs.

Our hike along the trail was around 2 km round trip. The clouds were starting to look ominous so we turned around and saw things we didn't see on the way out......

.... like cedar apple rust on the junipers. Pretty ugly, IMHO.

Back at the truck, the rain had started again.

There are two farmers' markets in Wellington. In town is the Wellington Community Market. We were looking for a late breakfast and this vendor's food ticked all of our boxes.

• made by an immigrant

• reasonably priced

• tasty - really tasty

The other market is further east along Hwy 33 at the King Eddie Hotel. It is called the Wellington Farmers' Market. The skies were amazing today.

There are always very interesting and well done arts and crafts at both markets. This potter uses minerals to make his own glazes.

And, every late breakfast needs to be topped off by something sweet. And, this seller ticked all of the boxes too! This time a Ukranian family who had been in Canada for just under 3 years. The layered dessert (top left) made it to the truck and then into my stomach. Ted tried two smaller desserts. Yum!!!

The King Eddie Hotel has a lovely orchard on grounds. It contrasted beautifully with the moody skies beyond the parking lot.

There was one more stop as we wended our way home through the side roads north of Wellington. One more stop - to experience a canola field in bloom. We never did make it to Picton and it's good that we didn't . We'd forgotten that their market is tomorrow!

How things can change in one week.

Thank you to the many friends who saw us through the past few weeks. We really appreciate your care and concern.

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us,

we often find that it is those who,

instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures,

have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand.

The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion,

who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement,

who can tolerate not knowing,

not curing,

not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness,

that is a friend who cares.”

Henri Nouwen