Best of the Year

If I had to pick a favorite month in Virginia, it would have to be May. Each month has its own pleasures and beauties -- the snows of January and February, the first daffodils of March and April, the changing colors as the year draws to a close -- but for me, May is best of the year. All the promises of early spring are fulfilled, as buds are coaxed open by the rain and sun. Birds trill from every tree, while the woodpecker in our maple tree pecks a rat-a-tat.

And, after all, it is the month for foxgloves, with their speckles peeking timidly out from their demure hoods:

And the lupine, too:

And sweet Nigella, though I prefer its common name of "love-in-a-mist ."

Our local gardens are bursting with life and verdure: 

Now to wait another year to enjoy the best yet again! In the meantime, I think I'll go crank the air conditioner down a degree...