Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Friday, April 2, 2010

Spring in Hendersonville, TN


George and I were shocked (and pleased) to see that Spring has arrived in Hendersonville, TN (where George's parents live). We have very little color so far up here on the Cumberland Plateau----but driving down off of the mountain about 2.5 hours west of home, we found Spring color yesterday!!!!!! I was so excited ---and I know this color will get to our area soon. Here are some pictures of Spring in Hendersonville, TN (which is north of Nashville). Above is one of the many Bradford Pear trees --found in almost every yard in Tennessee!!!! Below are more!




Dad Adams has always grown beautiful flowers. This is the row of Daffodils along the driveway... There are more on the other side of the driveway and also in several places in their large backyard (which Dad calls the "Back Forty")... SO pretty!!!!




The white blooms on the Bradford Pears look like SNOW.




Besides the white Bradford Pears, there was alot of YELLOWS all around the neighborhood. The Forsythias were in full bloom.




Besides Dad's white Daffodils, he also has lots of yellow ones.





Here's one more picture of the beautiful blue sky and a Bradford Pear. Can you tell that Spring has Sprung in Hendersonville, TN???????

We found George's parents in fairly good condition --although Dad (who is going to be 98 in August) has to do almost everything these days due to Mom's forgetfulness. He has never had to cook before---but has learned. However, we can tell that this is all too much for him. Please pray for them! They need to accept more help ---yet they are BOTH very very independent and stubborn.

Hugs,

49 comments:

Anonymous said...

These are flat-out beautiful. In a few weeks (2 or three) we should be about here but as of now, only the dwarf forsythia is beginning with one bloom so far. LOL

BEAUTIFUL post.

Cedar ... said...

The blossoms look like they would weight the branches down! What beauty! Sorry to hear that things are a bit more difficult for G's parents,... good wishes going their way. And to you two as well, I'm sure it's a worry.

RoeH said...

Spring blossoms. Can't beat 'em. That tree is so beautiful. My daughter has one of those in DC and this time last year I was out there to see it in full bloom. Incredible.

Anonymous said...

Everything is in bloom here, too. It seems a little early for Kentucky but we are having temperatures this week in the 80s. Had the windows open yesterday. I hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Here comes spring! Yipee!!

White blooms on the Bradford Pears are awesome!

penny said...

Thank you for sharing these gorgeous Henderson spring blossoms, Betsy. I miss see spring blossoming in the northern states.

Prayers are said for George's parents. Its very hard to let go of our independence.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Betsy, aren't the Bradford Pear trees just spectacular this year...they are really showing off.
I took pictures of ours yesterday and thought how pretty and full they are.
Love those daffodils, a whole row of them !
We are having some unusually warm weather for this time of the year, I do hope it isn't the indicator of a warmer summer.
My days of HOT summers are over ;)
Thanks for sharing your gorgeous pictures, and glad to hear you made a trip to see George's parents.
Happy Easter to you both !

nanny said...

I wish my drive was lined with Bradford Pear trees! They are pretty in every season! Great Pictures.....have a good day!

Connie said...

Finally Spring has arrived in Tennessee. Looks like there's more of spring showing up in Hendersonville then at my house, but still I'm seeing signs that spring is finally here.

I Am Woody said...

Everything is blooming like crazy around here too. Of course that means Vol Fan is sneezing like crazy! I got out yesterday and spent some time photographing the tulip trees. They are magnificent this year!

PS - I found a way to really slow down my starling problem at the bird feeder. I purchased a weighted feeder - the kind that is designed to keep squirrels out. It hasn't stopped then but it has put a real cramp in their style. At least they aren't able to clean out my feeder in an afternoon!

Darla said...

Your town will soon be a wash of spring color too. Their stubborn streak has proved to be a good trait, don't you think? It is hard to accept help sometimes, something I should learn to do more.

Small City Scenes said...

Those Pear trees are so beautiful. Yes, Spring has sprung in Hendersonville. Here too!!
I will pray that the folks will realize that independence is not always the best. A retirement home will take the weight off your shoulders and theirs too I bet. I am glad my Mother is ready. MB

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Beautiful!!! I love the 'snow' covered Pear trees.This kind of snow I like at this time of year,BUT,we have snow in the forecast for tonight.I hope it stays away,I am very willing to wait until November to see snow again.Have meaningful Good Friday.
Blessings,Ruth

Diane AZ said...

Betsy, your pictures of spring in Hendersonville are breathtaking! Learning to cook at 98 shows determination. I wish them well. :)

Roses and Lilacs said...

Beautiful! I'm beginning to see a few more signs of spring here too. Early daffodils and one blooming tree in a church parking lot. It's a start.

Have a lovely Easter weekend.
Marnie

Dorothy said...

These are GORGEOUS pictures of the spring flowers!!! I admire Mom & Dad Adams for wanting to take care of themselves as long as the can! It's at times like this that difficult decisions have to be made. I pray that they will have Peace when changes have to be made.
♥ Dorothy

Karin said...

Thanks so much for sharing pictures of those delightful blossoms with us! My heart just sang!


Will pray that George's folks would open themselves up to accepting the help they need. Just tell they are hiring staff, not just accepting charity! Actually caregivers don't want to do everything for others, just the difficult stuff. Even in the nursing home we still believe in giving our residents choices and supporting their independence for as long as possible. To convince our dear older folks that we mean the best for them is tough! All the best!

Hugs!

Rose said...

What beauty! Oh, so very beautiful.
George's mom and dad will be in my prayers.

Sunny said...

Wow! Spring has sprung! It will be a while before we see such an abundance of spring beauty.
How amazing to be so independent at 98, I will certainly say a prayer.
Sunny :)

Busy Bee Suz said...

I adore the bradford pears!!

I wish I lived closer to his parents....I would fill their freezer with homecooked meals that he could heat up anytime.
Sending prayers to them both.

From the Kitchen said...

I'm so glad that I came to "visit" you. Your photographs are lovely. We are still waiting for spring to blossom here in the midwest. Being a southerner, I expect spring before it's ready to arrive.

Best,
Bonnie

NCmountainwoman said...

One of the best things about mountain living is driving to different elevations and seeing the dramatic changes. Beautiful photographs of spring...it will be coming soon to an area near you.

From the Kitchen said...

Betsy, thanks so much for weighing in on the camera. I am going to be a well-informed consumer. What did we do before the internet, blogging etc.? I have learned so much in the short time I've been a blogger.

Best,
Bonnie

Diane said...

Very pretty spring flowers, Betsy. Thanks for sharing. Those trees are amazing. Diane

Snap said...

Gorgeous! Spring is springing! I understand stubborn and independent! :D

Ginny Hartzler said...

Lovely pictures! Now I know what these trees are all around here! I wish I could identify trees better! I'll be posting some that I just have no idea what they are! Charlottesville is a half hour away from us, but it's over the mountain and is usually four degrees warmer . I think it would be our Hendersonville. I'm going there today to an orchid show, and went last week. There really is a difference in when spring comes! Do George's mom and dad have a gardener? I WILL put be praying for them now. I've been through this myself, so I know how hard it can get. A friend of ours has a mon who is either 103 or 104 now. She still bakes and cooks when the "kids",who are about 80, come to visit. Maybe that's because they aren't up to it!!

Anonymous said...

I love the pictures of the bradford pear trees. The contrast between the blue sky and the white blossoms is spectacular. Blue and white is my favorite combination.

It is difficult for one to give up independence. Perhaps if George's dad were presented with this .. if someone cleans the house or cooks for you it will give you more time to spend in the garden, or if he hires a gardener he can still enjoy the garden but have more time for household chores.

Cicero Sings said...

Beautiful spring colours Betsy.

You'd think at 98 they would want a bit of help. Dementia is hard to deal with ... especially the further it progresses. We've been down visiting Mom. She needed her teeth relined and that is why we are down longer than intended ... but ... she can eat again!

Kay said...

Hendersonville looks like a beautiful place to live. I would love to visit there some day.

From the Kitchen said...

Oh, I just saw your birds. Just amazing. Do you think that lens would do it for me? That, a great eye and enormous photo-taking talent?

Best,
Bonnie

CottonLady said...

Beautiful Spring photos! There's nothing like Spring blossoms after a long winter. Trees are blooming here also. Have a couple of hyacinths but tulips are not blooming yet.

My prayers for your inlaws-I fully understand the problem.

Easter blessings to you and yours.

Anonymous said...

These shots are so beautiful - I LOVE SPRING & SPRING FLOWERS!!!

I like how you used spring-y font colors on your blog, too! Very pretty!

Joe Todd said...

Great photos Betsy.. Looks about the same ine my part of Ohio right now.. Got some good photos of deer today on way to golf.. Happy Easter

Jo said...

Wow Betsy;) I LOVE the pear blossoms. We had a pear tree in the house before this one. Always reminded me of a bride when it flowered - it was so pretty. I will pray for your in-law parents. That is a great age to be and still to be cooking (and a man doing it!) Can they go into a retirement village or are they refusing? It's so hard to break with what we know, isn't it. I will definitely keep them and you and George in my prayers. (((Hugs))) and blessings. Jo

marmee said...

glad you came down off the mountain to experience spring. dad's place looks grand. i am so happy for all of us that winter is so nearly over. thank God.
i hope you and george have a blessed easter.

Together We Save said...

Oh your pictures are beautiful. Spring is here in southern middle Tennessee too.

DeniseinVA said...

All those look absolutely splendid Betsy. Lovely photos as always. Happy Easter to you, George and all your loved ones.

Peggy said...

prayers going up. Have a very blessed Easter!

Glenda said...

Betsy, the whites and yellows are just gorgeous! I love the beautiful forsythias; they look so spring-y!

I will pray for your in-laws; I know how difficult it can be to know the right thing to do for them. It's amazing that he is 98 and still taking care of the two of them.

Have a blessed Easter!

EcoRover said...

Whoah, those pear trees in blossoms are a knockout! I could practically smell the blooms. Thanks for sharing the joy--we'll catch up to spring in a month or so here in the Rockies at 6,000 feet...

Neal said...

Betsy....This is an absolutely beautiful blog! Everything....the header, flowers, background...just adds to it.

Yes, that was our church in the picture. We had to go over there to do a couple things so I grabbed my camera and geotagger to experiment. It was pretty easy and the pictures seem to be pretty accurately place.

Chris said...

Thank you Betsy for these lovely Spring pictures. I hope it's not too long before spring arrives with you. We had a setback this week with more heavy snow and gales. There are some daffodils out but no blossom yet. I Know what it's like to worry about elderly independent parents. My Mum was living alone at 94 and hated to ask for help. I hope George's parents will accept help and continue to have a good life.

carolina nana said...

Spring is so beautiful with all the flowers blooming. The parents thing sounds very familiar to me, God bless you all as you deal with them. After dealing with my in-laws,I have promised my kids I won't get like that,I guess we'll see. Have a blessed Easter.
Marilyn

Connie said...

Absolutely gorgeous pictures, Betsy. I'm so glad to see spring has arrived in full force there.

Prayers going up for your in-laws from here.

Wishing you a wonderful Easter.

Hugs from Daisy.

Terra said...

How lovely to visit family and find spring. I am a tad jealous of the beautiful forsythia you show; I grew up with forsythia in the yard.

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I so look foward coming to visit you and seeing all of your beuty. It is in your words and pictures. I wish you a wonderful Easter...hugs...m..

SquirrelQueen said...

Oh wow, Betsy those Bradford pear trees are gorgeous. I love seeing all the blooms this time of the year, Spring really is in the air.

Losing our independence has got to be the hardest thing there is to deal with. I will be keeping George's parents in my thoughts and prayers.

happily retired gal said...

What a MARVELOUS array of Spring blossoms! Glad it's warmed up in your part of the world finally.
Hugs and blessings,
Happily Retired Gal

Mary said...

Isn't all that color great? Driving home from Nashville to Evansville, I really noticed the redbuds and pears along the highway. Such a welcome sight after 10 days of cactus and dirt and wispy trees.