My A-Z posts this year
are based on my garden – flowers, animals, the birds and the bees, butterflies
- with a bit of poetry thrown in. For some letters I am expecting to cheat
somewhat –wishing they were here.
V – Violas, Veronica, Vulture, Violets
It may seem strange to start with a snow scene, but there is
a very good reason for this.
 |
| November snow |
Six months later that bump in the middle had developed into
this.
 |
| Violas (Johnny Jump-ups) |
A little poem from the 1800's about Johnny Jump-ups.
Little Johnny Jump-up
said,
"It must be
Spring
I just saw a ladybug
And heard a robin
sing."
It may show my age but one of the earliest film actresses I knew was Veronica Lake so I just had to include these flowers.
 |
| Veronica |
Next I want to include some wild flowers which are common in a local wood; we even have one or two.
 |
| Violets |
I know a bank whereon
the wild thyme grows
Where oxlips and the
nodding violets grow. (Oberon)
And finally for V, a bird I see regularly in the Michigan sky.
 |
| Turkey Vulture |
The bird of the blood
hangs from the sun
on a rack of bones.
Poems:
- Johnny Jump-ups – Edwina Fallis
- Midsummer Night’s Dream – William Shakespeare.
- Turkey Vulture – David Chorlton
- Wild violets - Anne Burgess; Geograph Project Collection - CC BY-SA 2.0
3 comments:
Never heard the term Johnny Jump-ups for violas, Bob, but they do seem able to withstand the harshest weather and still come smiling through when things warm up so very apt. We are having a good tour of your garden with this challenge.
Ann
You taught me something new, I was familiar with Johnny Jump Ups, friend in NC had them all over her yard and we ended up getting quite a few in ours. Didn't know they were called Violas in England. I love African Violets, nearly always have one indoors. Never seen a vulture though.
JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE
Hi Bob .. great V post - love the snow and then the violas showing off with pride ... Violets are lovely aren't they ...
Cheers Hilary
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