Spring??

The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month. ~Henry Van Dyke



Included the sign just in case you were confused as to what scene the photo was supposed to represent on this snowy March 30.

Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush. ~Doug Larson





The view from the front door.

No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. ~Hal Borland



Silly me. I was thinking of taking in the sleds now that winter was over.

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. ~Proverb

The Garden is Blooming -- Sort of

These pictures represent the total blooms I found in the garden today. Of course, I am trying (the operative word is "trying") to not walk on the soggy grass yet, so couldn't get close to a couple of accessible by grass only beds. But, didn't look like anything was blooming over there anyway.

I know this is the dangerous time of the year in the garden. Planning is still a better activity than planting, weeding, trodding, etc. But, the garden muse is starting to call loud and clear.

This weeping pussy willow is finally producing a very healthy looking crop of pussies! Interesting thing about this little tree is that the first major snowstorm of the year toppled the tree clear to the ground. We stood it upright and tied it to the tree next to it, hoping it would stay put through the rest of the winter. But, then the granddaddy of all our snowstorms toppled it again, only in another direction. I thought for sure it was a goner, but this spring it produced its first noticable crop of plump, velvety pussies! I know that it can take several years to see if the roots were permantly damaged by the uprooting in the middle of winter, so for now we will enjoy and see what happens in the future. And, you can still see some snow on the ground. I cut a few to bring into the house and take over to my mother in her senior apartment.






The witch hazel is two years old, purchased from Heronswood Nursery (the original) on a very cold, crisp, sunny day in February. I hope one of these days it will start to grow! It is special for a couple of reasons: 1) it blooms now!, 2) that trek to Heronswood Nursery was my last as Burpee closed the nursery a few months later. In protest, I will never knowlingly buy a Burpee product.





I bought several hellebores on that trip (it turned out to be a fairly expensive side trip on the way to a conference), all of which, except one, have survived.



The primroses are blooming low to the ground and under their protective leaves, but they are there!





There are lots of spring blooming bulbs starting to push their leaves up and lots of helleborus foetidus getting ready to bloom, so things are looking up!

90th Birthday Party!

On February 20, my father celebrated his 90th birthday. It certainly was a milestone we couldn't let go by without having a party in his honor, so we did! Friends and family gathered from near and far on a sunny Saturday afternoon to wish him well and enjoy lunch.

My parents have been married for 65 years, so it seems appropriate to start with a picture taken at that party (it has been a party year for them!) as an introduction to the festivities.

Dad is the eldest of five children, four of whom are still living. My Aunt Jean lives in Idaho. Aunt Leah & Dad live in eastern Washington, and Uncle Steve lives in Colorado. Steve flew in from Colorado as a surprise to Dad.

Younger by two years less three days, brother Steve



Sisters Jean & Leah





The rest of the family and friends