AKA, look at how pretty spring has dressed herself.
Everyone in the neighbourhood (relatively speaking) agrees (whole heartedly). Spring bounded upon us in full force. When I say relative neighbourhood, it is in the true Namibian sense. Our nearest neighbours are 6km away (as the crow flies) and that is actually quite close. On average, farmsteads can easily be 30km apart. Statistically speaking, Namibia has 1 person occupying every 2,5 square kilometres. Imagine the peace and tranquillity on any given day of the week. Yes, I am in the hospitality trade, and yes, we long to have our foreign friends visit us again.
Back to the observations, interspersed with photographic evidence.
There are more baby Gemsbuck than before, and much earlier than before.
In a matter of one week, the trees, who had shed all semblance of life at the previous overnight frost a mere month ago, put on their most cheerful display of blossom bouquets, even if they did not have any greenery yet.
And by the next week, the juices of life worked their magic on the budding green leaves, and the trees are making the landscape perk up in a rapidly increasing verdant colour scale.
Taking a walk through the veld, or even just standing on the stoep in the balmy glow of a fiery sunset, one can almost feel the sweet aroma of the veld. A veritable honeybee heaven.
In a matter of hours, after unwrapping the lemon tree from its protective winter pyjamas, its branches and leaves were outstretched to maximum full lung capacity.
The goats have done their kidding thing, and the joyful bleating and rock/tree climbing activity brings even more life to the veld. The sheep have lambed, the cattle moms are bringing their calves out to show. The chickens have kicked up production a notch and a half. It an abundance of life.
I took advantage of the clearly plant life affirming conditions and christened my new raised vegetable beds with all manner of vegetables. Not even one week, and the spinach was peeking out. Another week, and you can’t keep the good beans down.
I have learnt some lessons this winter. Come hell or high freezing water, just get through it. Even if it looks like all is lost, come those first friendly vitamin D rays, things will look up.
An equally important lesson: Preserve some of the abundance of summer. Therefor I shall get busy in the kitchen, and you can look forward to a range of pesto’s (the wild rocket is especially peppery), pickled brinjals/eggs/pumpkin/etc, chamomile tea, etc. But not before we have had the first freshly harvested goodness from the earth, in about 2 months’ time. I dont quite have the knack for feta cheese, at least not consistently, but if you are a willing guinea pig….
Friends, family, and followers, stop, stick your head out the window, and smell the joys of summer.