"An apple a day" they say - Montreal finally blooms

Less than four weeks ago there was snow falling and making me angry. We tried so hard to miss the nasty infuriating Montreal cold, snow and high winds. We left for Asia at the beginning of December. The day we left the snow was coming down fluffy and not so cold but we were thrilled to say goodbye. We were very smug thinking that we would never wear winter coats again.

Then the world turned upside down!

We were urged to go back to Montreal at the end of March. This is spring for around the world where for many places, warm days return, flowers and spring fruits and vegetables are growing.

But not in Montreal!

Two weeks ago we were still wearing winter coats and hats. Some days teased us with a hint of summer. It didn't go below freezing much so the little plants in the garden survived.

I could see that the apple tree had buds ready to pop but they waited for a while. Last week they burst into a glorious display of blossoms. I looked outside in the morning a few days ago and saw the tree. There was an imaginary symphony playing in my head. For minutes I could forget the despairing life we live currently, seemingly with no end in sight.

I wondered for a while if this itself should be considered a moment in life that makes it worth living and that wanting more is unnecessary.

I never cared much for material luxuries, not that I'm opposed to them if that makes someone happy. I have really just wanted adventure, nature and to express creativity somehow.

So with a blooming apple tree in front of me and bees working diligently to pollinate each blossom, I wondered if perhaps not that much was missing, except for freedom to travel, hug friends, move in crowds if I desire, talk to a cashier that is not behind a plastic wall, use cash any where I desire, go to a restaurant to dine, by a pair of flip flops in a store that isn't Walmart so I don't have to wear old uncomfortable sandals, not have to wait two meters away from the next person in line, not have a young punk act like military when they tell me to wash my hands and wait until they give the go ahead to follow the arrows,and to not have to get into the back of a bus, even though I haven't taken one yet.

Other than that what more do I need but to observe the creative results of nature unfolding before me each day.

Right in the backyard this tree works to offer it's bounty in the fall. We were saying that if there is still no way to earn an income when the sand timer of savings is finally gone, we can eat apples for a long time.

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away" and that is what I have been doing for most of my life. I intend to continue on this path.

The entire apple tree will be ours because the folks only eat apples from Costco. They think that homegrown things are dirty. Their ham and bacon are apparently sterilized especially once they are fried for half an hour in deep oil each day two or three times a day. When they eat salad once ever two weeks they'll only eat spring mix from Costco and no other store. Apparently they're not touched by anyone when it comes from Costco. I don't get that but whatever.

The folks said that in all the four years that they have lived in this house, they have never seen so many blossoms. One year there were barely any blossoms whatsoever. It was a bare tree.

Marc and I have been paying attention to this tree and hanging out by the tree. Could it be that we stimulated the tree with our presence? Oh I know that's quite silly but we like to joke around about that.

The beauty doesn't exist only in the tree but on the ground. The confetti of blossoms that fell to the ground look like it belongs in a magical fairy tale.

The blooms will soon be gone and we will await the next stage of it's progress.

Thanks for stopping by!