One of God's Greatest Masterpieces

After waiting and watching for Spring for several weeks now, it almost sneaked up on me. The temperatures have been so warm that the dogwood trees seemed to pop into full bloom almost overnight — and I almost missed them! Last week, I was able to capture a few pictures of my favorite pink dogwood tree before its blossoms faded. This is my Father's world ... He shines in all that's fair ... In the rustling grass ... I hear Him pass ... He speaks to me everywhere.* If the dogwoods are blooming where you live, I hope you can take some time this weekend to get a closer look at them. They are truly one of God's greatest masterpieces. * Lyrics from the hymn "This is My Father's World" Words: Maltbie Babcock /Music: Franklin Sheppard

A Promise of Spring

After a cold and gloomy Monday, Tuesday dawned bright and sunny in Vicksburg. After it warmed up a bit, I drove toward downtown in search of any signs that Spring may be on its way. As I drove by the Old Court House Museum, I was delighted to see a little "fringe" of buds popping out on the Dogwood Trees surrounding the courthouse.

Can you believe that sky!

The little buds are still tightly curled, as if they're saying to themselves, "Not yet ... not yet."

I found this Redbud Tree not far from the Court House ...

Can you see the tight little knots of red buds dotting the branches?

My next stop was at one of my favorite houses in Vicksburg — this grand old "Painted Lady."

I took that picture last summer, and just inside the fence on the right side, there is a tree. It is a Japanese Magnolia Tree, and this is the way it looked yesterday ...

My heart skipped a beat when I saw all those glorious buds ...

This sweet little Hyacinth pushing its way through the leaves at Duff Green Mansion made me smile, too.

My last stop was to visit a Bradford Pear Tree, which I captured in all its glory last Spring.

I was sad to see that someone had done a terrible job of "limbing it up." This is what it looked like yesterday:

Hopefully, it won't look so bad in a few weeks when all these buds open ...

This is our weather forecast for today:

"A few showers possible this morning, then a wintry mix expected to move in during the afternoon hours. Snow accumulating one to two inches."

Hopefully, all those tender little buds will stay curled up tight against whatever our weather brings us these last few weeks of winter, as they give us hope and a promise that Spring is, indeed, on its way.

Snapshots

Just a few pictures I've captured during my ramblings in and around Vicksburg (you can click on the pictures to enlarge them, if you'd like).

The "flame" in the center of an Iris

Old Red Barn at Rolling Fork, Mississippi

Bradford Pear Tree Blossom

Robin at Rest

Train crossing Mississippi River at Sunset
Vicksburg, Mississippi

4th of July 2009, Vicksburg

Fountain with Old Court House in Background
Vicksburg, Mississippi

A penny for your thoughts ...

Christmas Cactus Bloom

Windsor Ruins
(Near Port Gibson, Mississippi)

Coming in for a landing ...

Ice Fountain in Natchez
January 2010

Walkin' on Water

Old Cemetery Gate

Lotus Blossom

Stripes

Dogwoods are as glorious in the Fall as they are in the Spring.

Dogwood Seed Pods after a Rain Shower

Ancient Gingko Tree in the Vicksburg National Cemetery

If you would like to see more of my photography, you can visit my Photography with a Southern Accent blog.

The Dogwood Tree

I hope you enjoy this and think of it every time you see a Dogwood tree. Be sure to turn your sound up if you would like to hear the music.