Every spring, I watch out my bedroom window as the red bud tree pops out into glorious color.
BELLS & BUGS – © LYON 2026
First with tiny bunches of red/pink flowers, then with bright yellow-green heart-shaped baby leaves. You can see the sun through them, they are so transparent.
And then, a silent signal blows across the world: Come the Bugs. Hundreds of bugs. And cattypillars. Inch-long voracious glaring wriggling chartreuse eaters.
Edges of beautiful shimmering fresh leaves become perforated and scalloped. Little bite marks all around every damn edge.
I want to scream at them, “leave them alone!” Not that that would do any good.
But soon enough they go their way and turn into ratty looking moths and buttyflies.
And then, as if the tree had known to wait, the rest of the leaves finally can take a breath and safely pop out, all whole and rich with vitality in their brilliant Kelly green attire.
And of course this story isn’t about this drawing! Sorry. It just wanted to come out about the red bud tree. The Bell plant story will come later.
Such a dramatic spring dance. I love it.
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BELLS & BUGS
© Angela Treat Lyon