By Pauline Tom
Ahhhhhh! The fragrances of springtime.
Wisteria fragrance wafting in the air beckons Rebecca Schroeder to “linger on the front porch, sit back in one of the white wicker chairs, kick up my heels, and browse through a Southern Living or Better Homes and Gardens magazine to get the creative home and gardening juices flowing.”
In her blog (RebeccasRetreatBlogSpot.com), on March 26 she went on to say, “I love the color, the shape, and the smell of Wisteria. It is my favorite flower. I despise that it only blooms once a year and only for a short while during the spring. So, during this bloom time, I neglect the backyard deck with its peace, quiet and wildlife antics to give my attention to the beauty cascading from the front porch pergola.”
Our wisteria in bloom prompts us to be thankful for Don Tokar, who sold to us his dream house, custom designed with his wife. They had but a few years here before she died of breast cancer. He asked, “Please leave the wisteria. I planted it in her memory.” What a lovely memorial.
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Now’s the time to hit nearby roads to enjoy sights and fragrances of spring wildflowers. Just as I pulled into a drive on Hwy 71 out from LaGrange on Friday to photograph a thick spread of bluebonnets, my mom phoned with word of the death of my dad’s dog, Pal. Through the Walgreen’s app on my smartphone, the photograph was ready to mail to my mom in “about an hour”.
In April 2012, the Native Plant Society of Texas published an article titled “Invasive Mustard threatens wildflowers.” As you drive, watch for the invasive giant mustard, rapistrum rugosum, also known as bastard cabbage and wild turnipweed. It’s bright yellow, airy, and grows to three- to five-feet. Because most of our native wildflowers only grow to one- or two-feet, the invasive mustard overshadows and kills out the wildflowers.
In our lawns and flowerbeds, we can do our part by pulling or snipping the plant before it makes seeds. If you have a spread of the flowers or find a large spread when you go to a relative’s ranch for Easter, mow the bastard to prevent seed-making.
If you’ll be around here for Resurrection Sunday weekend, this year’s Mountain City Egg Hunt takes place at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, at city hall. This is a free event for Mountain City friends and family with children ages 3 – 11.
Some wonder, “What do eggs have to do with the resurrection of Jesus Christ?” (since the egg tradition came from pagans.) “Easter Symbols” page at the American Bible Society webpage says Christians view the egg as a reminder of the tomb from which Jesus Christ arose. (Luke 24: 1-4)
This verse ties up this week’s “Montage” into my Easter basket to readers, “and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2).
Please don’t make me go tidbit hunting. Send tidbits to ptom5678@gmail.com (Subject: TIDBIT) or 512-268-5678.
Thanks! Love, Pauline
