Hello blog friends! How are you doing? I hope all’s well with you. Come on in my blog space for a coffee or tea and let’s catch up on our news since last week when we chatted about staying fit and having fun.
Life This Week
If we were having coffee, I’d share that the Government of Ontario allowed more businesses to re-open starting May 19. All public schools in Ontario remain closed for the remainder of the current school year and online learning continues until the end of June.
The business re-openings have made no difference to my daily routine. We still need to maintain physical and social distancing. Canada’s public health officials now say Canadians should wear a mask whenever physical distancing is not possible.
I continue to stay home most of the time, except going out for short walks to exercise or to buy groceries. During the day I’m active and in the evening I have plenty of digital media to keep me entertained. I go for walks 5 or 6 times per week. While out in nature, I experience many moments of beauty that make me feel positive and grateful.
Moments of Beauty
If we were having coffee, I’d share the moments of beauty that came from the fresh spring flower blossoms on one of my walks. Every day new flowers appear and the trees become more lush with green leaves. The variety and individuality of the flowers are ideal for my virtual bouquet. Let’s see how many of them are familiar to you.
Trillium flowers
Pasque flowers
Little Beauty tulips
Cushion spurge flowers
Grape hyacinths
I’ll pause here since my virtual bouquet is getting big with all the flowers. There are more to see. Maybe in a future post. For now, another enjoyable walk done in my book. I come home with a smile and feel positive.
I call these flower blooms “moments of beauty” because the time period when they look their best is brief. I feel grateful to be around to witness these moments. Thank you for coming along with me. I hope my virtual bouquet brings you a smile.
If you’d like to extend the virtual walk, continue to my blogger friend Erica/ Erika’s Behind The Scenery Photo blog for stunning tulips and more.
How did your week go? What are the common spring flowers where you live? I’d love to hear your comments.
Linking here.
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Natalie the Explorer 
Such pretty flowers, Natalie! I didn’t realize we had grape hyacinths but I know now! They are nice and reproduce fast 🙂
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Thank you, Barbara, for your comment. Grape hyacinths spread quickly and can be invasive. I’d plant them in a small contained area. Their colour is nice and once they flower, they don’t require a lot of care.
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What a gorgeous walk, Natalie. Thank you for sharing all of the beautiful flowers you found along the way. My week was good. We’re still hunkered down, so I’m writing, working out and still working from home. Enjoy the weekend! ❤
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Glad to hear your week went well, Jill. Thank you for coming along on my virtual walk. I feel grateful to be able to walk outside and see these pretty spring flowers. Have a wonderful weekend!
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Very pretty flowers! We’re slowly opening things up here in CT and my boys and I have been out about a bit shopping.
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Hope you and your boys had a nice shopping experience after the lockdown. Thank you, Joanne, for stopping by. Enjoy the weekend!
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You make a really good point, Natalie, on how new flowers appear daily during Spring. I do not know the names of many flowers, yet I do appreciate their beauty. When we lived in the Yukon and Northern B.C. I carried a little book with me with pictures and descriptions of the wild flowers in this area.
I did not know about the characteristics of Trillium flowers, especially the three blooming characteristics. I think there are a few Plant ID apps which may help name the “mystery flowers.”
Natalie, thank you for the kind mention about my Tulip’s post. An unexpected surprise this morning and I am touched and honoured to be included in the “Moments of Beauty.” ❤️
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Hi Erica/ Erika, The tulips in your garden are stunning and different from what I’ve seen in my neighbourhood. Thank you for posting their images on your blog. I love to share them with other bloggers and readers. Now I need to find the gardener to ask about my mystery flower. I tried to look it up…So far still a mystery. I see so many pretty flowers on my walks this season, my phone is full of their images 🙂
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My husband says he planted a new type of tulip last Fall. We will eventually find out the mystery name behind the mystery flower. As I have mentioned before, Natalie, you have inspired me to notice many more things close by. You have also inspired me to use my IPhone. It is now often my main camera, since, of course, I always have it with me. All the tulip photos, Iphone. Another blogger gave me a tip about working with Portrait mode with close up shots. I have been experimenting. Have a great rest of your weekend. xx 🙂
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Glad to hear you’re having fun with your phone and photography. Taking photos does make us look at the object more closely and at different angles. I solved the mystery and updated my blog post. The mystery pretty flowers are Little Beauty tulips (tulipa humilis). What a nice surprise to discover they’re in the Tulips family. Have a nice Sunday and upcoming week!
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Lovely flowers! The red and purple ones are so happy looking!
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I love that happy looking flower. I tried to look up its name but so far, it’s still a mystery. I hope to meet the gardener one day to ask him/ her. Thank you, Janis, for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend!
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Hi Natalie,
You found lots of blooms we don’t have around here.
thanks for sharing some of your beauty from Toronto.
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Hi Gary, I guess tulips and hyacinths are common spring flowers in your area. I’m glad to share some of the other spring flowers from Toronto to you. Have a nice weekend and upcoming week!
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HI, Natalie – I’m glad that you are keeping well — active and positive as usual.
Your flower shots are stunning!
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Thank you, Donna. I’m glad you liked my photos. The more active I am during the day, the better I sleep at night and ready to go the next day so win-win 🙂
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I’ve never seen the “mystery flowers” before, so beautiful and extraordinary! I’ve never seen anything like them. All the flowers are beautiful. I bet the fragrance in the air is something else. What beautiful walks you have. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
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Hi Maria, You’re right about the fragrance in the air. It’s light fragrance that makes you want to inhale some more at the moment. I found out through internet search that the mystery flowers are Little Beauty tulips so I updated my post to reflect their proper name. I’m glad to share some flowers that are new to you. Have a wonderful week!
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That is a great name for them. Pretty.
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I just put your misery flowers into plantnet (like shazam for plants) and I think they’re tulipa clusiana or the Lady Tulip…
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That should read mystery flowers, of course…
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Thank you, Jo, for the tip. You were very close. I found out that the mystery flowers are Little Beauty tulips (tulipa humilis) and updated my post to reflect their name. Have a wonderful week!
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Well, there you go… mystery solved. Have a great week.
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Thanks, Jo, for pointing me to the Tulips family. I was thinking Star grass initially.
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I have this app called plantnet that I use all the time – it gets close but sometimes has absolutely no idea!
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Beautiful places to take a walk. Stay safe.
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Thank you, Antoinette, for your comment. Thankfully, I can take these walks and keep a safe distance from other people. Have a nice Sunday and upcoming week!
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Love all the BEAUTIFUL flowers!! I’m loving Spring and Yes, you made me smile today!! Thanks always for sharing such positivity and beauty with your walks and flower photos! 🥰❤️
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You’re welcome, Diana. Spring is a beautiful season and we need positivity these days so I look to nature and she gives me a big bouquet that brightens my day 🙂 I’m glad to share it with you.
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Those flowers are so beautiful! Thank you for sharing your photos and including details about them. It was like coming on a socially-distanced walk with you! And thanks again for the blueberry coffee cake recipe. I still haven’t tried it but I’m thinking about today….
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Thank you for your comment. I’m glad you liked my virtual bouquet 🙂 No rush about the blueberry coffee cake. If you do make it, I’d love to know how it turns out and what you think.
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I have been craving visual stimulation and wanted to go for a walk in our nearby botanical gardens yesterday but unfortunately it was injury flare up o’clock so walking was off the table! Maybe after a few days of rest I can go there.
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Sorry to hear about your injury flare up Vanessa. I hope you feel better soon and can go to enjoy the gardens. Thank you for stopping by.
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I’m so glad you find gratitude in these flowers! I unfortunately can’t see th epictures as I”m blind, but I can appreciate them.
It seems you’re settling into the “new normal” well, since even though some businesses reopened, not much has changed for you.
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Thank you, Astrid, for your visit and comment. Walking outdoors and the nice spring weather have helped me a lot during this lockdown. Aside from groceries, I don’t have a need to shop so I haven’t gone to other businesses yet. Hope you stay safe and well where you are.
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I agree that taking walks outside has definitely helped me too!
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Lovely and cheery post andf pics! Just what we need as it’s cold and grey today!
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Glad to share my virtual bouquet with you. Hope the weather improves tomorrow where you live.
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and again for #MLSTL
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Thanks, Lydia, for popping back. Have a nice day!
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And #LovingLifeLinky—-we’re in a loop this week
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Good to see you and read your posts. Have a nice day!
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You had me at ‘moments of beauty’! Nature always uplifts me so much and I loved your photographs Natalie. It’s interesting to learn what all the different flowers are too. So often I see and like flowers but don’t actually know what they are called! Hope you have a wonderful week! xo
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You had me at ‘Moments of Beauty’! I am always so uplifted by nature and your photographs are so lovely. It’s great also to learn the names of the different flowers. So often I admire flowers but never know what they’re called! Hope you have a wonderful week! xo
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Thank you, Min, for your kind comment about my photos. I’m glad you liked them. I try to look up names of local flowers that I don’t know. A learning curve for me but I’m in no rush. Have a wonderful week!
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Beautiful post Natalie and so true how these Spring flowers have such a short time with us. Here a sudden heat wave is putting paid to some grand meadow views. Am glad you finally found your mystery flower. I was a bit slow but have been looking up and reminding myself of the amazing range of yellow wild flowers here.
We find local guides for flowers and other nature most useful as it is easy to follow one guide then find it doesn’t grow in our parts. I had a phone app once too but can be same problem. Those tiny tulips are lovely. Glad you are able to be out more now.
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Thank you, Georgina, for your kind comment. We had a rainy day with strong winds about a week ago. That damaged some of the beautiful flowers so the moments of beauty are shorter than we like. I’m glad you’re well in Spain. Look forward to seeing more of your poems and photos. Have a wonderful week!
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Thanks, Natalie, we have now had the heat that has driven us inside! Hope for cooler weather next week! Keep safe and well and have a good week too.
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I love grape hyacinths too! What a lovely walk Natalie, thanks for taking us with you and for your update on COVID-19 where you live 🙂 #lifethisweek
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Thank you, Debbie, for your kind comment. The purple grape hyacinths are eye candy 🙂
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Such wild (and domesticated) flowers! Our region of the state of Pennsylvania will begin to reopen on June 5. Restaurants will still be closed but stores may begin to reopen. We mostly stay home except for running and hiking. We just did a beautiful trail run this morning. How rejuvenating!
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Hi Laurie, We’re in stage 1 of the staged re-opening so mainly curbside pick-ups, no mixed household gatherings yet, and physical distancing 6 ft. (2 meters) or more. Glad to hear you had a beautiful trail run. I had a very nice walk by the lake this morning. It’s warm and humid here from Monday to Wednesday inclusive. Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful week!
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Such lovely flowers! Schools are back and businesses are starting to reopen here in Sydney but like you, my routine hasn’t changed so much. I’m enjoying going for walks with the dog every day and now that it’s getting colder, I’m quite happy to stay warm and toasty at home!
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Sounds like a good routine you have Sammie. Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful week!
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Hi Natalie, thank you for sharing Moments of Beauty at #MLSTL. We always have room to stop and appreciate nature don’t we? Have a great week!
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Hi Sue, Yes we always do. Nature is beautiful in spring time here and gives me all sorts of inspiration and health benefits. I’m loving it. Thank you for hosting MLSTL. Have a wonderful week!
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Just gorgeous Natalie. Thank you for sharing all of this beauty with us on #MLSTL!
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Glad you liked my post Christie. Thank you for stopping by.
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Such beautiful photos. Love the one with the air and sea. So very beautiful. Thanks for sharing. #MLSTL
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Glad you liked my photos Patrick. The first one has a beautiful view and changes every time I go there. Thank you for stopping by.
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Hi Natalie – well Spring is certainly leaping into action in your neck of the woods! Those flowers are beautiful. We’re starting to cool down and a couple of storms have blown through the place – so definitely different weather here – but still plenty of walks in the fresh air and not much socializing.
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 😊
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Hi Leanne, I read about the storms in Perth/ Western Australia that caused power outage in some areas and thought about you. Good to hear you still do plenty of walks in the fresh air. Thank you for hosting MLSTL. Have a wonderful week!
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Hi, Natalie – I’m dropping back in from #MLSTL. I have shared this post on my social media. #MLSTL
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Thank you, Donna, for dropping back and sharing. I look forward to learning what cuisine you or Richard will cook or take out next.
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Love the pretty blooms, Natalie! The photos certainly made my day!
Happy Wednesday!
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Thank you, Veronica, for your kind comment which brightens my day. I’m glad you liked my flower photos. Happy Wednesday to you too!
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So many lovely flowers at this time of year, Natalie. Love those tulips 🙂 🙂
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Hi Jo, My phone is full of spring flower images. Your camera must have a lot of flower images, too. I’m loving it! Thank you for stopping by. I look forward to seeing your next walk and photos. Have a wonderful week!
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beautiful flowers which always make me happy
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The positive power of flowers is wonderful, isn’t it? Thank you, Carol, for stopping by. Hope you’re safe and well.
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It is so lovely seeing what’s popping up for you in the Northern Hemisphere…while we meander into Winter….
The schools staying closed makes sense as your system would be stopping for summer. Ours here are generally all open but each state of Australia makes their own decisions.
Mask wearing has not be recommended if well.
Corona virus has impact everyone and everywhere.
Today, in my area, I was able to have a sit down coffee at a place I had not visited for anything other than takeaway and it was sooo good.
Thank you for linking up for #LifeThisWeek#190…I hope to see you back next week with the optional prompt: 22/51 I Saw 1.6.2020. Take care, stay safe, Denyse.
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Hi Denyse, Glad you were able to have a sit down coffee and enjoyed the experience. We have no sit-down coffees yet, just take out or drive through at this time. I’ve been having my coffee at home. Thank you for hosting LTW. I’ll join you again soon. Have a wonderful week!
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My days are much like yours. Walking outdoors is a highlight to get out of the four walls here in the condo. Trillium is a beautiful flower. I remember seeing it when we were in Newfoundland on vacation several years ago. My home is BC is doing quite well, no known cases so far. I haven’t gone home yet for several personal reasons, but the biggest is a 14-day quarantine in place right now. Where I am staying in the States I have more flexibility so it feels right to stay for now. – Margy
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Thank you, Margy, for your comment. The 14-day quarantine is definitely a barrier even for Canadians travel from one province to another. I’m glad you have flexibility where you are and can go out for walks. Have a wonderful week!
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I love your flowers. Here we have our summer flowers putting in an early appearance thanks to a very warm spring so I have been enjoying seeing the roses, lupins and peonies in people’s gardens. my geraniums which survived the winter are putting on a good show.
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Thank you, Anne, for your comment. Glad you have geraniums. They’re happy-looking flowers and they last the whole summer here. We have three very warm days this week. I’m patiently waiting for the peonies to bloom in my neighbourhood.
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Hi Natalie. I love seeing your spring flowers, especially as we are going into the bleakness of winter. I have the grape hyacinths in my garden in spring. They’re tiny but beautiful #MLSTL
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Thank you, Jennifer, for your comment. The grape hyacinths are cute and their colour brightens up a garden.
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Thank you for this week’s bursts of colour. My life hasn’t changed much either with the lifting of restrictions but it is nice just seeing people out and about. Even things like seeing people walk from the train station…
SSG xxx
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Good to hear restrictions have been lifted in your city. I see more people out and about here as we approach summer. Thanks, SSG, for stopping by. Have a wonderful week!
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I’m in Miami, Florida and my routine is very similar to yours. I walk, grocery shop occasionally, and stay in the rest of the time. I live on the beach so I do have a fabulous ocean view from our balcony. Even as the restrictions ease up, I’m planning on giving it a few more weeks of staying in to see how everything holds up. have a safe week.
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Thank you, Judee, for your visit and comment. How nice that you live on the beach and have an ocean view! Other than grocery shopping, I may go to the public library to pick up books curbside when they re-open in June. In big cities, it’s easy for the virus to spread so I limit my exposure as much as possible. Have a wonderful weekend!
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Oh, to come across such lovely flowers on your walks. The French word for Easter is much like the Spanish word for the holiday. The trillium especially appealed to me – my favorite number is 3 and they are so unique with their 3 petals, 3 leaves, 3 sectioned-seed pods.
I am always envious of the beautiful flowers that grow in more humid, cooler parts of the world. But then feel a sense of amazement at the little wildflowers that come up here without an encouragement or even rain!! They are like little miracles.
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Wildflowers are usually pretty and they can make a big area looks like a beautiful carpet. Thank you, Leslie, for stopping by. Hope you’re safe and well in El Paso. Have a wonderful week!
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I especially liked the Little Beauty Tulips.
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Yes, they are very pretty. I was pleased to find out their name.
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Nice that you are able to go out for walks in nature – I am sure it is uplifting.
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Yes it is. I look forward to going out for a walk every day except Saturday when it’s busier than other days.
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Trillium always make me smile!
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They make me smile, too. The white trillium have turned pink a few days later before they disappear until next spring.
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It’s summer in India, so the only flowers really blooming are bougainvillea and what we call gulmohar (Royal poinciana), so thanks for the visual treat you’ve shared!
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Thank you Corinne for sharing the word gulmohar. I learn something new. I remember the pretty bougainviileas that spread across fences or walls and poinciana trees that provide nice shades. I saw them when I visited countries with warmer climates.
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Guess what! We were having coffee. Well, tea. Green tea to be exact. Thanks for the chat over a cuppa!
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Leanne, Green tea it is! Thanks for making me smile with your comment 🙂
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