Wattle Y’Know

As the tiny yellow blossoms slowly starting to open on the wattle trees in our garden are showing, spring is gradually inching closer to realization, but it can never happen fast enough.

Cold seems to linger for an inordinately long time at the end of every winter, especially as I advance further into old age and the chill’s effects deepen.

But that’s usually because I expect too much of March, having the false impression of it being a month where things warm up despite decades of experience proving that to be the contrary.

One highlight of March for me, though, is the large number of wattle trees on show. They are referred to as mimosa in Japanese, as they are through much of the world.

Australia’s national tree is also a symbol of International Women’s Day, which is marked on March 8.

I’m sure the tree gained this role because it is in full bloom by this time in much of the northern hemisphere.

But it’s rarely the case where we are, though there are some outstanding specimens in our neighborhood already. The flowers in Kangaeroo Corner, though, can’t grow fast enough. Bring on the spring and you never know “wattle (what’ll)” happen.