It was only about a week and a half ago that I went out walking … the earth was still slumbering, content in its dried weeds, quiet soil, bare trees. But the warmth in the air, the sun, spoke of a greener time to come.
The river was high and moving swiftly towards the bay at the southern part of the state. Although turbulent and muddy-looking from this view, it was still beautiful.
I walked past what is probably the neighborhood eyesore. It’s a long, low red building, at the end of which are a loading platform and garage doors, awaiting a shipment that has long since failed to arrive. I love the chair sitting there, keeping the faith that someday the neglected warehouse might live again. The red checkerboards above the garage doors tell me that this may have once been a Purina distributor, perhaps for large animal feed, serving the farmers who are just a few miles away. In a tonier town, this would have long since been demolished. We all seem to just take it for granted.
A bed of purple crocus had pushed its way through the dirt edging the road, no grass yet in, looking rather alone, barren, and brave.
Across the street a stream of bright golden grasses filled the space between the old train rails, brilliant in the sun, and threw shadows on what was once a second set of tracks.
A small bunch of snowdrops struggled to announce an impending Spring among dried grasses and old walkway weeds. I couldn’t help but imagine them surrounded by a bed of rich grass or maybe even some mulch, just something more complimentary to their delicate, pioneering spirit.
An old building on the walk to the bridge. I’m sure it’s the same age as some of the other stone buildings I’ve photographed, but I am always puzzled by the doors stacked above one another. Perhaps there was once a stairway down the front, like a fire escape, but there are no clues in the stone or cement. I’ve been told it has housed, and still does, floors of antiques and collectibles. As long as I’ve lived here, someone (I suspect the owner) always places one item in the doorway, there for the taking by whoever passes by.
An old-fashioned doll rests in the corner today.
The Delaware looks stunning as always, its racing south not as immediately apparent as in the earlier view. Here it better reflects the cloudless blue sky, and wears an aura of peacefulness.
At last … the first sheen of green! That sly, subtle wash of the palest green creeping into the grassy areas, letting us know that in maybe as little as a week’s time there will be more of Spring poking its head through the ground – daffodils, more crocus and snowdrops, the blush of yellow on the forsythia.
It’s been a long winter, a long year. We’ve survived and carried with us a great weariness and a need for the promise that a greener season brings. Soon … more hope, more sun, more people about. The simple things that make our hearts grateful that we’re still here and can lift our faces to the warmth.
Still A Dreamer 
The early spring sun brings warmth and hope as the first green shoots emerge! Where I am it turns green in winter and is brown and dormant by mid summer with the summer drought and heat.
The doll in the doorway – I hope she found a good home.
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It seems so odd that our environments should be so opposite from East to West. I can better understand it from North to South, but this always amazes me! I will check on the doll next time I’m out there and let you know. 🙂
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Trees still lose their leaves in autumn, but grass turns green again with the return of the rains.
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Soooo … do you get snow? If so, when?
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Generally not until January or February, though we can be surprised in March or April. They typically don’t last very long and are not very deep.
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Except for the possibility of forest fires not so far away, I’m starting to really like your climate. And you can’t beat your sunsets and sunrises. hmmmmm ….
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Fire is definitely a hazard out in the west.
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OK, so I’m good here! LOL
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What a beautiful post, Jeanne! I feel like I’ve been on a meditative walk! The buildings are so interesting and I always think there’s something so peaceful about old railroad tracks.
Spring seems to be moving at the same pace in my neighborhood…signs of new life/life revived are everywhere and yes, I’m very grateful, and ready for more people! Xoxo
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Thanks, Kitty. I’ve had so much on my plate these last 2-3 weeks, but I wanted to get those photos up before they became irrelevant! I love being near the river; I feel like she’s my friend. I also love trains, and the tracks speak to me as well.
We’re getting there, even if ever so slowly. Stay well and be safe. BTW, both posts did come through, so I’m responding to your first one.
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Jeanne, I so love walks like these. Isn’t it wonderful that some of these old structures still exist? Old towns are the best. So much history and mystery. Is it really true that there’s always an antique of some kind offered at the door?
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Old towns with some history are the best – one of the reasons why it’s so nice living out this way. We go back to the 1700’s. Yup – there really is always something on that little step! I would always notice when I’d go out somewhere, but with so many fewer trips out nowadays, I haven’t been as aware. I’ll have to take better notice next time I’m out.
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Thanks for sharing some of your spring Jeanne. I love the quirkiness of your neighbourhood – the turquoise chair, the doll, the stacked doors! It won’t be long before the landscape is vivid green…
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I never thought of us as quirky, but I like it! Maybe our little town is a bit quirky. The green is starting for sure – since those photos I am seeing more crocus, bunches of happy little daffodils, and more of that lovely green tinge all over. Happy Spring to you, Andrea – it will be a welcome change.
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What a lovely post. Beautiful spring flowers. There must have been some sort of steps in the front of the warehouse, how interesting though, especially re the giveaway, I’d be too afraid to take it without a free sigh attached.xxx
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Thank you! Those little giveaways have come and gone since I’ve been here, but I know what you mean. I’d feel funny just taking something, too.
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