Rare in these parts

In more southern climes, the magnolia in bloom is a pretty face but
very common at the beginning of the spring season. And it is even
dissed a little for its messy petals on the sidewalks. Not so here,
where it's a rare and glorious thing, almost incredible in its fleshy
display of flowers.

There are a few magnolias scattered through this city. I used to
think there were only two or three, but my friends and I have been
counting them and there are probably a couple of dozen.

I noticed this one a couple of weeks ago in a park just ten
minutes' walk from my house. It's not actually pink -- it is very
white. But the combination of light from nearby street lights gave it
this pink colour.

It is mid-June now and many are still blooming. Someone told me this
morning that hers still has not opened, though its buds are fat.