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.

A Spring Photo Shoot

Yesterday was a beautiful spring-like day, with breathtakingly blue skies and bright sunshine. There was a chill in the air as lingering March breezes made their presence felt, but I took advantage of the pretty weather and went exploring with my camera.

I began my adventure at the Old Court House Museum in Vicksburg. The dogwoods are in bloom, but haven't quite reached their peak yet. Can you believe that sky!

I had company as I rambled around the grounds. The "Court House Cat" joined me, and I captured him with my camera when he stopped to rest at the base of one of those huge columns ...

Isn't he beautiful!

I also captured this huge Iris.

When I changed to my macro lens to get a closer look, I was amazed by what I saw. It looked as if there was a candle glowing deep within its petals (you can click on the pictures to enlarge them if you'd like to see the details).

I've discovered that so much of God's glory is hidden within the petals of a flower or under a leaf, and I feel so blessed every time I get a glimpse of it through my camera lenses.

After saying 'goodbye' to my little cat friend, I left the Court House and drove over to the National Cemetery, which is located in the Vicksburg National Military Park. The cemetery is one of my favorite places to photograph in Vicksburg, and this beautiful Redbud tree immediately caught my eye ...

I couldn't get close to that tree, but found another Redbud on a country road that was easy to reach and captured these close-up shots.

As you can see, it was one of those days when you can't help but think, "How great Thou Art" ... and it was a very memorable way to celebrate the beginning of this Holy Week.

The Days of Holy Week Holy Monday was when Jesus overturned the tables of the money changers, saying to them: "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer'; But you make it a den of robbers." [Matthew: 21:13] Holy Tuesday of Holy Week is the day when the incident between Jesus and Pharisees is thought to have taken place. This was when the churchmen tried to trap Jesus into making a blasphemous, or, anti-God remark. This day is also significant as the day Jesus discoursed to his disciples on the Mount of Olives about the destruction of Jerusalem and the signs of the last day. Spy Wednesday: The day Judas betrayed Jesus. Maundy Thursday: The day of the Last Supper. In the words of Matthew: Jesus took bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Good Friday: The Crucifixion Holy Saturday commemorates the day Jesus Christ's body lay in the tomb. Easter Sunday: The day of the Resurrection.