Craving Green

There is something about green I just crave these days.

Yes, I know why. Most of you could probably do with a good dose of green in your yard, instead of the scrubby brown of post-winter.

Well, one does what one must. And so off I go to the store and today bring you more flowers-in-the-house!

Can you guess what this is?

I know and it still puzzles me! And I'll share by the end of the post!

I wanted to thank all of you for such lovely comments, kind and encouraging words and good wishes for Gyppy and me. It's been a rough couple of weeks -- I've been laid up with a virus or sinus infection or cold -- I'm not sure of its official name. I just know I wasn't on the computer for rather awhile.

I know I've much to catch up on with all of you and look tremendously forward to it.

After my last post, I successfully gave Gyp his "gatorade" solo. It wasn't flawless. As I shared with some of you when responding to comments, the first poke didn't go so well. Well, it went in fine -- and came out about a half inch later, squirting his fluids all over his golden fur. The second poke was more successful and he was very quiet and tolerant during the procedure. I gave him a treat when he was done.

And I had a Girl Scout cookie. (I needed a glass of wine, but it was the middle of the day on Sunday!)

In the time since the last post, another friend very suddenly and unexpectedly died. Sally lit up the world of everyone who knew her. So the sadness continues.

But it is accompanied by hope. Things are greening up outside.

I've seen my dwarf irises come up, the first flowers in my yard, and sharp pointed leaves have popped through the mulch promising a bumper crop of daffodils, hyacinths and tulips.

Birds are brightening up and I'm seeing more robins and even some golden finches at the feeder. I find them lovely. The Gyp finds them tantalizing.

As I lay sprawling on the couch or in bed over the past couple of days, I was able to devour a simply marvelous mystery, which you can read about at Chopsticks and String. And, to very nearly finish another terrific book I'll tell you about in another week or so.

So you see, things really are looking up. Believe me, I try not to let them keep me down too long.

Thanks so much for your support and good wishes.

It makes me feel as happy as I do when I look at my pot of tulips.

(And you can bet that I will be planting these in the garden after the bloom is gone!)

Springtime -- Clutching at Straws -- or Tulips

I'm writing this post on a cold, gloomy day. They threaten it will be warm, but it wasn't when I went to the gym and it's not any warmer now. Or brighter. Maybe it will be by the day this post actually hits. But right now, we are talking gray. Seriously gray.

So, I bring spring inside and play with the tulip photos I took a few days ago (when we actually did that tease called sunshine).

To me, daffodils and crocuses herald the start of spring, but tulips -- and by this, I mean the tulips growing outside, not at Trader Joe's -- tulips herald the fact that spring is here to stay.
So, when I need a dose of hope, I trundle off to whatever store is closest and pick up a bunch.

Perhaps its their showy blooms...

...or their beautiful colors.

Perhaps it is the way they look deep inside.

Is it their striping?

The way they unfold?

Or is it simply by the time tulips start to appear in the stores, I am starved for their beauty?

I'm not sure about that, but I am pretty sure I'm not alone! Recent posts I've discovered from too many of you to name have featured this showy bloom in various incarnations. And really, didn't you feel good to have these flowers in your space? I know I did!