I've just come to realize the amazing insight our ancestors had, when they coined the phrase "turning over a new leaf". May is a glorious leaf month in the garden. The April rains have brought the soil's goodies to dormant roots. The sun has warmed the earth and called the leaf buds out to play. The leaves have spread their shiny new faces to the light, to begin their magic of turning sunbeams into energy. Photosynthesis... solar power for plants. Flowers may be the colourful stars of the garden, but leaves are the modest allies in the background. They breathe in my outbreaths, turning my carbon dioxide back into oxygen for future inbreaths. Silent partners in inspiration. Spring leaves are so shiny and new, unblemished by the munching of bugs and slugs. They are such a hopeful start to the growing season, and a heart lifting reminder of cycles of renewal. Here are some of the leafy friends I've made recently. ~Sharon ||width=100% cellpadding=10px align=center || Attach:fern.jpg || Attach:grass.jpg || || Attach:lamium.jpg || Attach:pulmonaria.jpg || || Attach:redleaves.jpg || Attach:variegatedhosta.jpg|| || Attach:bluehosta.jpg || Attach:smallrhodie.jpg || || Attach:lovage.jpg || Attach:yellowgreenhosta.jpg ||||