With the closing of the Bruce Trail, my outside walks have been restricted to the path that goes behind my development and the park across the street from it (which can be accessed by passing under a bridge beneath Mud St.  So I’ve been missing many of the signs of spring I’d be seeing along the wooded trails–but the birds are singing, the creek is bubbling, and the leaves on the trees are budding.  The dandelions are starting to sprout and bloom, and for once I do not begrudge them.  There’s a little grove of trees in the park across the street, just big enough to feature a few woodland flowers, such as the trout lily above.   Someone has also planted a bed with daffodils and tulips nearby.

Walking right now is still a bit of a dance, especially around lunchtime.  Parents with children — the younger ones in strollers, the older ones often on bikes, scooters and skates–come out to walk, along with other adults walking dogs.  Sometimes there’s a single runner or cyclist.  Most have now learned the steps of the physical distancing dance–single file when passing others, sometimes moving onto the grass, being aware of surroundings–but there’s still the odd pair that still think walking side-by-side, lost in their own bubble, and there are still others who think blocking the bridge over the creek while their children play is acceptable. But most people are doing the right thing and saying ‘thank you.’

There is one presence on the pathways that is not welcome, however:

It took me a minute to realize what was pitting and breaking up the pavement, but each of these pits features a green shoot breaking through the asphalt. I suspect Japanese Knotweed, which is spreading in the vicinity and which is one of the few plants powerful enough to break through asphalt.   It’s clear from the dashes painted in the area that this has been noted, but if it is knotweed, maintenance staff are in for a long fight.

I suppose there’s a metaphor in there for the current crisis.