Photo by Aaron Burden / Unsplash

Although I am a true Mermaid, born in the Ocean (well, a very deep tub!), my family is originally from the Prairies, and during the long and cold winters, it was with relief and a warm heart that the sight of a Purple or White Crocus brightened their days. My mom tells me the sight of a crocus still makes her heart glow with love for Mother nature, and the fact that her world is on track despite any harsh winters when it was doubtful anything could grow again. My mom says you must trust nature and learn too, as the crocus symbolizes a small part of that trust. It's amazing how much is going on in nature that we cannot see, and the little differences in weather or temperature that signal new growth.

CROCUSES

Photo by Annie Spratt / Unsplash

We live near a big park called Beacon Hill in Victoria, and a lot of tourists come to visit it. It faces south at the Olympic Mountains that lay across the Juan de Fuca Straight. Beacon Hill gets the sun most of the day, and the crocuses love that spot in particular. So do I! As a true harbinger of Spring, the crocus finds home in all little pockets of warmer areas. With spikey leaves, it is easier for the crocus to poke up through the grass, old fall leaves, and of course, snow. My neighbour Pauline who I have tea with a lot, and go to the opera with, thinks Crocuses don't like winter, and are in a hurry to get to Spring, that is why they are first up! I like that explanation, as I can't wait for Spring either..more sunshine, more fun outside! Pauline also says the crocus is Brave! Brave enough to poke up into the Canadian winter, and risking getting Frost Bite, she says. The other scary thing for them is that by Spring the deer are looking for anything green, and they love to gobble up the crocuses! Ugh the darn deer eat everything...!

It is so smart of Mother Nature to give Crocuses a waxy coating on the leaves and petals, called a waxy cuticle, and that is like their winter jackets that make braving the cold better. In my city of Victoria, there are a lot of areas exposed to the winds from the Olympic mountains, filled with cold sea spray. Nearer to my home in Fairfield, though, there are a lot of pockets of protected areas where I can find all the first flowers first! The Prairie Crocuses, who brave far worse conditions and blizzards, are the truly brave flowers. As they arrive first, I bet on the prairies they are a pretty sight against the snow. I feel lucky enough that they are up now here in Victoria, and that Spring is here, even if the date only is February. Next on my watch list is the cherry blossoms...which are quickly catching up to the crocus here in Fairfield!
Stay tuned in for my next project which will be Ravens vs. Crows. There are a lot of those in the Fir and cedar trees around my house where they like to nest, and have early morning parties on my rooftop that wake me up too early on Saturdays! We hope you guys enjoyed reading and learning about our latest adventure. We also hope you find a crocus in your neighbourhood!!
As always...Live Love Learn Life!!!!