Then we walked down the driveway, admiring the still green foliage of the mock orange (Philadelphus inodorus). A glowing backlight cluster of dried blossoms from a virgin’s bower (Clematis virginiana) caught our eye just before we entered the woods near the meeting for worship in nature area.

We walked to the to the north boundary by the ditch where Bill has transplanted some Walter’s viburnum (Viburnum obovatum Walter). There were heavy rains since our last walk in December that pushed mounds of sand about, especially visible in this stretch of the ditch. We walked through the woods looking at the areas where the water flows when in flood and noted shifted sands in the area near the old meeting for worship in nature area and near the pond area where much of the yellow star grass (Hypoxis sp.) has been covered with sand. Along the way we spotted a delicate blue violet (Viola sororia?).

Carolina Jessimine (Gelsemium sempervirens) — one blossom, but more coming!

On our way back to the meetinghouse we checked the longleaf pines planted in the utility strip, and I noted that the bud on the older one was just at eye level. I moved fallen mounds of Spanish moss near the trunk of the hackberry tree to give the lyreleaf sage (Salvia lyrata) a chance at sunshine. Most of the flowering plants in the bed at the entrance to the meeting parking lot are dormant at this point, but one brave Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella) stood out. Nearby, the coonties (Zamia pumila) transplanted from the children’s yard because of their poisonous orange fruits caught our eyes with the brightest spot of color for the day.

We noted the sidewalk to the meetinghouse was overhung with palm fronds and spent some time inspecting the tall dead stump and vines that covered it., including crossvine (Bignonia capreolata L.), trumpet creeper (Campsis radican), and smilax.

Our quiet contemplation was rewarded when we spotted a bird up high. Do you allow yourself time for contemplation, for spiritual renewal?