There goes the day, mostly gray..
What matters is what one does with the time involved. For me, contacting loved moms I know, wishing them the most of this wonderful day. Also, getting much motherly advice in return for my sickness recovery (yes, yes I’ll get vitamins and soup, but it’s too warm to bundle up).
So, Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there from here in Seattle. I dedicate the above today pic (and bonus below) to all of yous…
– Orion T
Over the weekend, my eyes fixated upon a magnificent tree with its colorful blooms..
That tree is the Magnolia Soulangeana, or the Saucer Magnolia. This blooming magnificently and stands alone at the Seattle Center (the park area of the Space Needle). You’ll find it a little north to the great International Fountian. This is a tree of multidimensional beauty. From far away and in early spring/late winter, you may gaze upon its’s large blooming flowers of an outside purple edge, shifting to pink and whites. Inside, the petals are white. Upon the ground, they fall to create a surreal, colorful scatter.
Thanks to the wonderful management of the Seattle Center, I learned of this tree. I was told there colors and changes are a natural evolvement. I felt there had to be more, so I looked up more info..
From Wikipedia..
“Magnolia × soulangeana was initially bred by French plantsman Étienne Soulange-Bodin (1774–1846), a retired cavalry officer in Napoleon’s army, at his château de Fromont near Paris. He crossed Magnolia denudata with M. liliiflora in 1820, and was impressed with the resulting progeny’s first precocious flowering in 1826.[3][4]
From France, the hybrid quickly entered cultivation in England and other parts of Europe, and also North America. Since then, plant breeders in many countries have continued to develop this magnolia, and over a hundred named horticultural varieties (cultivars) are now known.”
Below, we have more, with fallings showing both sides to the loosed petals. In the last pics, are bonus Azaleas.
“Shadow is the obstruction of light. Shadows appear to me to be of supreme importance in perspective, because, without them opaque and solid bodies will be ill defined; that which is contained within their outlines and their boundaries themselves will be ill-understood unless they are shown against a background of a different tone from themselves.”
– Leonardo da Vinci
I admire the early blooms of this winter now. These are reminders of changes, and how every month has signs of the next ahead. The weather lately is a little less chill as the days go by, and a bit more relaxed..for now. The rains pass by with light long pours, usually in the night with just enough to leave the ground soaked for a day or two. I see a lot of mud, and reflections of the grey skies above.
Meanwhile, some plants in various gardens around the city are presenting their first blooms of 2015. I have been told that some of the great cherry trees of the Northwest are showing signs of early Spring. These natural presentations are great, as I have been a bit too comfortable with these short days of grey. Perhaps, the time for early change in this season, is a sign that I must bloom early as well. I have set multiple goals for myself, of which I hope to have active by this Spring. Much like these new blooms, I can not wait.
This was early last night, after midnight. Here in the Seattle Center, the 12 man spirit of the SeaHawks is going Beast Mode through the thick fog (see previous Space Needle pics!). The Super Bowl will be the next day, and the Pacific Science Center knows what’s up.
Also, I love the fog.
And, below is a bonus of where I stopped by this night..the Benaroya Music Hall, also showing some Seahawk cheer!
(Go Hawks!!)
“For now the city is safe, from all the nuts. Wherever there is a tree nearby, criminals beware. So swears..the Squirrel Avenger!”
Rain down the Needle..
All 605 feet (804 meters) of it on this quiet Sunday. I can take a break under this world famous Space Needle. Here, is generous shelter cover to fix my umbrella, and unwrap the last lolly candy thing in my pocket (snagged from the local dish at the bank three days ago). Also, it’s a good place to look up and admire this unique view.
The rain is light today, yet the loudest noise around me with the constant pitter patter upon my cheap, flimsy umbrella (of which I give and putting in nearby trash). It’s louder than the distant cheers Seahawk fans, as our city football team beat the Oakland Raiders 30-24 in today’s game. The rain is more noticeable than all the passing cars of the city splashing through puddles on every corner. I could imagine stories from the distant sirens, of situations more important than my mundane situation. I can hear some faint laughter from passing tourists, taking those all important selfies with the Needle crouching over. The rain overall, is the most prominent of this moment and the rest of my walk.
I’ll let my smile be my umbrella.
Just the evening, after some brief rain. Walking to home, through the wonderful Seattle Center park..
And then, I look back.
TRAVELING ORION 