Three Bells

Day 193: What time is "three bells?" Well, that all depends on which watch it is, but if you happen to be watching the phenologic clock, three bells is most certainly Spring! Of course, if you're on a ship, it's a bit more complicated, especially in the traditional system. Three bells was rung in the night or early morning in my garden, although only yesterday, we would have had to call it "three buds." Yes, the Fritillary Lilies have opened, one of the first and most welcome displays of colour from my flower beds. Their checkerboards must surely serve chess tournaments among the faerie folk, or be hopscotch patterns for ladybugs and beetles. Perhaps if I took the first or middle watch, I could catch wee sprites at their nocturnal games when three bells is sounded.