Mark Bialczak


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A walk in the neighborhood finds signs of renewal

March 15, 2016 6:40 am

A shared day off with my dear wife Karen and a continuation of the nearing-spring warming trend allowed a journey around our Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood with our beloved rescue mutt Ellie B aka Dogamous Pyle.

Appreciating the warmth and colors.

Appreciating the warmth and colors.

Happy dog. Happy us. Nice signs of life springing about here and there, we all noticed on many of the neighbors’ plots in the blocks surrounding the Little Bitty.

Planning went into this.

Planning went into this.

Some folks obviously put much work into their pieces of Earth, whether it be last fall or already this March.

Others may have done some planting in years past, and now merely allow Mother Nature to take her course.

Hover over any gallery photo for a description. Click on any image for an enlarged slide show.

When we passed Norwood Park, the home of the Eastwood Bears Pop Warmer football and cheerleading program, a trio of bigger folks — young at heart? — appeared to have another season still in mind.

Football tossing for fun.

Football tossing for fun.

They chose to throw the old pigskin around on this afternoon in the 50s F.

After our several-block loop, I took a look at the front yard hourglass garden.

Yes, it's starting to stir.

Yes, it’s starting to stir.

No roses or forsythia blooms in sight, but there are succulents above board, and a greening of the rose branches.

Nice. Indeed.

What’s the latest outdoor activity you’ve participated in? Do most of your neighbors plot and plan, or seem to let things happen? What season do you feel emerging the most today?

Posted by markbialczak

Categories: iPhone Photography, Life

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29 Responses to “A walk in the neighborhood finds signs of renewal”

  1. I LOVE spring (and fall)! Many of the trees are beginning to hit full bloom – like my massive fig tree that has covered itself in fig leaves the last 3 weeks. Redbud trees are strong in their beautiful purple glory, as well. Last week, it was so beautiful here, me and the grandbabies planted 3 types of tomatoes, 2 types of peppers, basil, oregano, rosemary, 2 lavender plants & 2 pots of strawberries – each granddaughter has their own strawberry pot. We spent all day outside & the girls played, going through half a 55 gal drum of rainwater – it was an awesome day!! We have had one of the mildest winters in years – we’re all a little concerned about hurricane season, because of it. Memories here are that the last mild winter we had like this resulted in a massive storm wrecking havoc on us 2 days before my September bday. Don’t kill the messenger, but I have even been out in my bathing suit a few times soaking up the Vit D. The way our weather has been this year – I could have a full blown tan already if desired πŸ™‚ ONE of the many reasons I stay in Southeast Texas . . .

    Like

    By ~ Sadie ~ on March 31, 2016 at 5:14 pm

    1. Full bloom there, no buds yet here. What a great, expansive country we live in, Sadie.

      Hey, perfect weather already for your grands, and your tan. Yeah, I’m a tad jealous, my friend.

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on March 31, 2016 at 10:28 pm

      1. As a caveat, hurricane season, & especially hurricane evacuations SUCK 😜

        Like

        By ~ Sadie ~ on March 31, 2016 at 10:33 pm

      2. Yes, they do. I grew up on Long Island, living through a scare in my teens just off the Sound, Sadie. Sorry you have that off the Gulf.

        Liked by 1 person

        By markbialczak on March 31, 2016 at 10:57 pm

  2. Yesterday was a summer day, today a spring day. Grateful for new beginnings!

    Like

    By Apple Pie & Napalm on March 16, 2016 at 3:27 pm

    1. Yes, a fresh start is always pleasant, my good friend Apple Pie. πŸ™‚

      Like

      By markbialczak on March 16, 2016 at 5:43 pm

  3. hmn, car washing on the street, none of us have front gardens! but yes 😎 my succulent has appeared amongst the crocuses

    Like

    By nikibayard on March 16, 2016 at 2:57 pm

    1. I’m glad to hear you have succulents and crocuses over there, my friend Niki!

      Like

      By markbialczak on March 16, 2016 at 5:42 pm

      1. and anemone and grape hyacinth x

        Like

        By nikibayard on March 16, 2016 at 8:48 pm

  4. on my walks, i’ve noticed that it’s a real mix, though most seem to kind of let things happen, myself included )

    Like

    By ksbeth on March 16, 2016 at 5:57 am

    1. I hope you’re happening yard is stirring now, Beth. I recall it holds good things around your lovely cottage. πŸ™‚

      Like

      By markbialczak on March 16, 2016 at 9:17 am

  5. Nice photos Mark! πŸ™‚

    Like

    By Opinionated Man on March 15, 2016 at 8:50 pm

    1. Thanks, Jason. I bet you’d still capture Broncos flags flying around your neighborhood. Congratulations, good sir!

      Like

      By markbialczak on March 16, 2016 at 9:16 am

  6. I went home for lunch, let Cody out, and came back with muddy paw prints all over my fairly new jacket (she got upset that I was leaving – again). No time to wipe them off until I got back to the office. Hubby and I need to get serious about re-seeding that lawn this year.

    Like

    By cordeliasmom2012 on March 15, 2016 at 3:19 pm

    1. My experience at the store tells me that there are products that will make that reseeding process WAY easier than the last time you may have embarked on that adventure, CM. Nevertheless, keeping Cody off long enough to let the little guys germinate will still be the challenge! And, she’ll always jump up and tell you she wants you to stay home with her, right? πŸ™‚

      Like

      By markbialczak on March 16, 2016 at 9:15 am

      1. I think we’ll just call a local nursery and ask them to give us an estimate. Neither hubby nor I are much in shape enough for lugging soil and sod into the back yard. Cody might just have to deal with being on leash for awhile.

        Like

        By cordeliasmom2012 on March 16, 2016 at 9:26 am

      2. Good plan, CM. Very good plan.

        Liked by 1 person

        By markbialczak on March 16, 2016 at 9:39 am

  7. HELLO Spring!!!

    Like

    By Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser on March 15, 2016 at 12:25 pm

    1. Hello, Gatorette. Enjoy your beach, my friend. ❀

      Like

      By markbialczak on March 15, 2016 at 1:33 pm

  8. Forsythia, peach and plum are blossoming, here. Grass is greening. Birds are flitting and eating! After a rather mild winter, spring is coming right along!

    Like

    By Freeda Baker Nichols on March 15, 2016 at 11:02 am

    1. Enjoy the action of spring, Freeda. Hooray for your world. πŸ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on March 15, 2016 at 1:32 pm

  9. We’ve been greening here for weeks now, Mark. Hard to believe it’s March ! The pink-blossoming trees are already in bloom, bulbs are popping, the yellows of Spring are not far behind. ☺

    Enjoying every bit of it. 🌺 🌻 🌹 🌷

    Like

    By vanbytheriver on March 15, 2016 at 8:59 am

    1. Enjoy this loveliest of seasons, my friend. Yay for spring, Van. ❀

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on March 15, 2016 at 1:32 pm

  10. I think I am the only neighbor actively gardening now. Several of my neighbors have lovely perennials they don’t need to bother with. (We’re much younger than most of our neighbors.) I’ve been out clearing the debris and getting the garden beds ready. It’s an exciting time of year.

    Like

    By joey on March 15, 2016 at 8:01 am

    1. Have fun sprucing up and getting that great garden going, Joey. Yay, you!

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on March 15, 2016 at 1:31 pm

  11. You are really getting some green going there Mark. We’re still mostly white but warm – 50’s – so it won’t be white for long.

    Like

    By Paul on March 15, 2016 at 7:52 am

    1. I’m glad to hear of your pending meltdown, Paul. Much-deserved. πŸ™‚

      Like

      By markbialczak on March 15, 2016 at 1:30 pm

  12. Sunday, one kid was lost in a movie, another was on the leap pad, another was on the Kindle Fire and the hubs was on the computer. I couldn’t take it anymore. I snatched up the young’ins and the old man and headed outside in the rain. They splashed in puddles and got wet and muddy until the rain started coming down pretty hard. We were only out there about 15 minutes, but it was just enough that when we came back inside, no one immediately got on the electronics. Victory!

    Liked by 1 person

    By rachelwhims on March 15, 2016 at 7:48 am

    1. Great family win, indeed, Rachel. Way to get ’em all outside at once, my friend. πŸ™‚

      Like

      By markbialczak on March 15, 2016 at 1:29 pm

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