Spring is officially here....

and I missed posting about it by a day. Sigh....so there go the redbud and mountain laurel blossoms. But with the recent rains, there is much green to feast the eyes upon as you see more and more leaves sprigging forth in the treetops. There are snatches of color to be found in the formal planting beds around commercial establishments such as banks and hospitals, but I'm not a real fan of that type of garden. I like general order with some (or a lot) chaos thrown in - a more natural state of existence. That's probably why I love our stands of wildflower here in Texas so much, as did Lady Bird Johnson. If you have some time, visit her legacy to the nation, but most especially to Texans: http://www.wildflower.org/. But for now, the only new blooms spotted have been the sparsely planted yuccas.


My visit to the garden center last weekend yielded us with a variety of salvias, columbine, plumbago and hibiscus. Some tulips and gladiola have broken the surface, and other seedlings that I have no idea what they are but assure myself everyday they are NOT weeds. The clover patch is brimming with delicate yellow florets and the bees are loving it. Perhaps I'll think on setting up a hive someday.


Update on the snails: all that appeared have been relocated to the creek that runs through a small park down the street from here. The boys wanted to do the salt trick on them, but I said, "No, Carolyn would not approve." So Layton and his girlfriend spent Sunday doing that for me and had a good time in the process. I will also avail myself of their services this weekend when I rent a tiller of some nature for aerating the heavily thatched lawn. The leaves have been raked, and along with the twigs and mini-branches from the ash, have been recycled into a neighbors compost bin. She says I am welcome anytime to enjoy its 'fruits' for feeding the lawn and mulching the gardens. Her name is Clara and I think that is lovely way to meet one's neighbor, and I believe a nice little friendship could develop across the backyard fence.

Coming Feature: Unpacking long, lost treasures