As I take a break from doing some interior painting (redoing the bedroom doors and trim) on this rainy day, I look out at the gardens soaking it all in.

Enjoying some early rhodie blooms here along coastal New Jersey.

Three different mucronulatums providing great color ('Pink Panther' in fiery HOT pink now in full maximum bloom, an unknown dw. magenta 'Craters Edge' or something to that effect, with Cornell Pink just about finished after commencing bloom around the 3rd week of March).

A small lep, in another corner of my property, probably a PJM cross and which was a rescue some years back from a house targeted to be razed in my area is also about to flower; it's a beautiful dark purple with plum colored leaves. Az Mary Fleming which is about 15 years old and which is sited next to the Pink Panther has also begun to bloom it's apricot pink clusters.

Juncos and white throated sparrows at the feeders still and a Palm warbler just popped up in the Japanese Maple that is just outside my window as I type, a wet mustard breast with tail a pumping.

Make it a great day.