Thank you, Lilo. That quote plucked a magic string for me this morning. What a very pleasant and simple message.

If nothing else, this solstice brings a symbolic end to a long and seemingly endless winter. Yesterday, not only did I see bees but also a wasp or two. The birds have been flocking and pairing up for a month now and the starlings have lost their winter markings, as have the gold finches. I've had precious little time to walk around the property to look for other spring tidings, but did see growth on our old fashioned lilac, and have several primroses with little purple and yellow buds on them.

Yesterday the strength of the sun drove the temperatures up to a hundred degrees in one greenhouse before I vented the heat and moisture out. The smell of warm peat moss was heady and intoxicating.

Well personally, I'd like to wipe out the fire ants from my part of the universe. They're back with a vengeance this year and I've already gotten my first bite.

Nasty little buggers aren't they? When we went to Texas to visit my brother several years ago,they asked what we wanted to do. The first thing out of my mouth was to see some fire ants. They look so innocuous.

Very nice quote Lilo. I like imagining that all those things are occuring somewhere under the ice which is covering our property. I'm sure the worms are stretching,the bugs scurrying and perennial roots slowly waking up but I sure can't see any of it yet.

Today's pollen count is the highest yet. All the deciduous trees are leafing out. Gotta get the lawnmover unwinterized. The dogwoods are gorgeous. I've seen a few bees and even saw a yellow swallowtail butterfly yesterday. Technically the last freeze date is tax date. But many years it's actually the middle to last week of March. The 15 day long range forecast doesn't mention freezing temps. May it stay so...

Sol Invictus Lux!

Very nice quote, Lilo. It gives me hope. We had another frost last night. We have had enough spasmodic temp.rises to get the grass to grow. I looked at my mower yesterday. That's it, I looked...too cold to be outside doing anything. I have a half pruned apple tree too.

Ah me. I want a place to have a warmer winter.

Michael, Isn't the pollen awful? Every morning I come out & my car is covered in yellow dust & I sneeze about a zillion times. It's beautiful here right now, but oh! my sinuses!

It's the price of Spring.

Oo la.

Lilo, I love it. Steve and I threw a knock down drag out (early) Equinox party last Friday night to welcome the season back properly. 30-some guests, tons of food, and plenty to drink. We had a ball.

As for signs of Spring: They're everywhere! All my bulbs are up, though none are yet blooming. But I understand the rhythm so I'm patiently looking forward to them.

The robins and the Sandhills seem to have caught the same flight back. Both are everywhere. I've noticed purple finches again and lots of other birds I haven't seen in a while.

The sun's presence is more than welcome. I don't feel like a mole person anymore, and my friends with SAD are beginning to respond to invitations and initiate contact.

I put our heavy coats in an upstairs closet so I'd have room for my guests' coats at the party... and I haven't bothered wearing one since then. All my heavy sweaters are out of rotation. I haven't worn long underwear in weeks and flannel PJs are starting to annoy me.

Kids are swarming the neighborhood like flies. They're out playing basketball and street games... bicycles are out in numbers again. I'm seeing neighbors I haven't seen in months and strollers are everywhere. People are wearing shorts... and wellie boots, since it's so dang damp. All that's left of the snow are a few muddy crustlettes in shady spots.

Tonight I saw moths swarming my porch light and I celebrated! (How weird is that?) Some of my plants are greening up and all the buds are swelling. I have started a couple trays of veggie seeds and will be starting several more very soon.

I have to be careful when I open the door for the dogs because the (indoor only) cat is once again perpetually plotting her escape.

My mind is wandering all over Summer. I'm dreaming of my endless supply of fresh herbs and this year's veggie (and tomato!) crop. Life is good. Welcome back Spring!