To Kate, and all other Texas Expatriates.

Once you see them, you understand.
Bluebonnets.
The State Flower of Texas.

Each spring they blanket the landscape, stealing breath away when they reappear, peeking out shyly like an tender memory, or an unforgettable fragrance.

Texas is a hard land. No mountains, little water, extreme heat, cold winters. Each year in the summer I think:
I must make my plan.
I must leave this place.

Six, seven months of heat and humidity, and air conditioning chilling the back of my neck. Then a brief blaze of color, autumn, riots through and in a week's time is gone.

Winter is even more elusive. Cold, frost, freeze, perhaps a blink of a snowflake is placed to mark that season' s fast passage.

And then...bluebonnets.

The heat, the cold, the hardships.

All is forgiven through the innocent bonnet's blue kiss, sweet blue upon the pupils of my eyes.

Love you Kate.
Miss you.
Jill

PS: There a slide show of bluebonnets and other blooms here.