First Lilacs "Run In"

Old fashioned lilacs finally in bloom at the top of my driveway. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

First Lilas “Run In”

It was a grey, rainy day as I walked up my driveway stewing on something. I was also carrying a plastic container of used cat litter but that isn’t as romantic as stewing on a grey, rainy spring day but I am talented in that I can do both at the same time.

As I headed around the corner of my driveway to the garbage container, I was looking at the tulips at the corner and wondering how much longer they will bloom.

Heading up my driveway to the garbage container. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Then I was back to stewing, not paying attention to what was right in front of me, and I ran smack dab into it.

Making the turn and not watching where I am going. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

As my face plowed into the wet old-fashioned lilacs, I jumped back. When did those get there, was my first thought but that’s not a fair question since I myself planted those there a few years back.

The better question is what finally made them bloom this year when they haven’t bloomed in the past.

I did add mulch to them last year and this one, and having bees around may have improved their odds of reproduction but oh, that scent.

Running straight into these old-fashioned lilac flowers. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

After I emptied out the cat litter container, I went back to the house for my camera and retraced my steps.

The droopy flowers this year are just lovely, who could stew even a little after literally running into these lovely flowers?

Aren’t these old-fashioned lilac flowers just lovely? (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

And yes, I leaned into the flowers and took a big breath to take in the lovely scent.

I planted these old-fashioned lilacs under my bay windows many years ago so I could catch a whiff of their scent as they bloomed. The idea was to have a reading nook in those windows and have them opened in spring to enjoy the weather.

Today I was too busy with other things to even think about doing that but this “run in” was a good intervention. I walked back to the house calmer and smiling just at the thought of these flowers in bloom, which remind me of bluebells. Only purple. And this was a good reminder.

Do you remember the smell of old-fashioned lilacs? (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

We all should stop and smell the lilacs!

Charlotte