It'll make your day

Today, the song we are singing is "la la la I can't heeeeear you" to the weather reports, because we are refusing to accept that it is snowing on the date of the vernal equinox.

And by "we," of course I mean Violet and me. The other residents of Belfry HQ have their heads under the covers and are refusing to come out.

too early for white boughs

The melt has started.

Only now, in spring, can the place be named

At last.

poised like a choir on the verge of singing

I think what I love most about snowdrops is the splash of green on the tepals.

I eat asparagus with my fingers

It's that happy time of year known as asparagus season.

the soothsayer who knows I'm not at home

As I was getting ready to leave work yesterday afternoon, I heard a peculiar, high-pitched sound. I knew it, but couldn't place it. Something the matter with the ductwork? A treble spilling through the earphones of a neighbour, his iPod turned up too loud?

Horticulture is a groping in the dark

I spent Saturday in the garden, planting some sweet violets (Viola odorata) and wild ginger (Asarum canadense) that I bought on eBay (!), cutting the 'lawn,' and deadheading. Sunday I went to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival with Maman and walked up and down the large, hilly fairground.

The pedigree of honey

You don't find these in perfectly manicured lawns.

Out of the heart of dust

Already the slim crocus stirs the snow

I brushed away some leaves this weekend, and found treasures. My Firefly crocuses are blooming

His coat gleaming with spring

I put little stock in the prognostications of marmots and therefore do not take seriously the appearance (or not) of the shadows of Phil, Chuck, Willie or any of the other moonacks¹ as a sign that spring approaches.

"Usual indulgencies; jelly or creams"

Last weekend, in addition to admiring my irises and early roses, weeding, planting tomatoes, and a host of other things, I harvested an astonishing amount of lemon balm.

"How can I be content when there is still that odor in the world?"

There is crazy shameless tree sex going on right now, and between feeling like someone is having a wild party right behind my cheekbones, and my immune system (out of control at the best of times) going berserk, I spent more time this weekend asleep than I had originally planned.

"How many million Aprils came Before I ever knew"

Cherries, pfah. Who needs cherry blossoms?

Tourists and other bad photographers, probably. I suspect it's easier to get a presentable picture of the massed cherries in the Tidal Basin than it is to get a good picture of the shadblow. I might blame my camera but I suspect that the real problem is that I'm not a great photographer. Nevertheless, here are this year's attempts at capturing my favourite spring tree.





There are several other noteworthy things going on in the garden, but I'll save them for another day rather than overload this post.

Sara Teasdale

And the fields are strewn with the gold of the flower of March

The new sewing machine arrived. It is a Toyota STF39 and it is glorious.

When the hounds of spring are on winter's traces...

Crocuses and snowdrops. Hurray!

Algernon Charles Swinburne

Damp, yet festive

I've been to dog shows, SCA events, and other outdoor happenings that were wetter than today was at Maryland Sheep and Wool. But not many, and not much wetter.

Edible

It was a good weekend to garden. Mmm, sunshine and real warmth. Some of the perennials I've been moving around found their places and are now in-ground. I even felt daring (and warm) enough to put in tomatoes and some other vegetables. Details are at myFolia for those truly desirous of them.

Hmm

Well, let's see.

There are new gutters on the house. And new downspouts. And leaf protection.

Penitential

This started as yet another litany of what I have done and what I have failed to do since my last post. It was becoming evident that the main theme of this week's recitation was 'gardening' so I shall begin and end with that and let the rest take care of itself.