true grit: february five

I won't bore you with the details of how busy my life was last week so let's just leave it at "There just aren't enough hours in the day".

It's nearly 70 degrees today and I'm seeing signs that spring is very nearby. I was out weeding this morning ( why can't my vegetables and perennials be as prolific as chickweed??!) when I noticed the tulip leaves peeking up. Last week I was surprised to see the crocus and now the tulips are sneaking up on me. We've had so many warm days this "winter", I use the term loosely, that I think everyone is confused. Don't get me wrong, I want spring to arrive, I do miss gardening so much, but I feel jipped out of a proper winter. I mean, we didn't have one ice storm or snow flurry! I demand to be given the opportunity to be home bound and no work to have to go to!

Nevertheless, Spring will come whenever it damn well pleases, despite what I want. So, let's celebrate!

I think this is winter jasmine. I took some cuttings a few years ago from a neighbors yard. Yes, without asking. In my defense, the house was vacant. It's difficult to ask permission when no one lives there!