Spring is Near

Thus sometimes hath the brightest day a cloud;
And after summer evermore succeeds
Barren winter, with his wrathful nipping cold:
So cares and joys abound, as seasons fleet.

– Shakespeare, Henry VI part 2

Thought I’d take photos of some late winter beauty today, to remind me that I won’t need my winter coat much longer. Not much snow so far this year, but tons and tons of rain. I had begun to think that my world will be cold and soggy indefinitely.

And then a day like today happens.

They blanket the shaded areas; the floor of the woods glows with them.

This is the first sun to touch them today.

This is Handsome. He's an old friend but I can never remember his real name, so I call him Handsome. He seems to like it. — This is Handsome. He’s an old friend but I can never remember his real name, so I call him Handsome. He seems to like it.

I love the juxtaposition of last year's blossoms and this year's buds. — I love the juxtaposition of last year’s blossoms and this year’s buds.

I cannot fully express how much joy these sweet things bring me.

About two hours later, I went out to my garden and this is what greeted me.

What follows is a study of crocuses. I hope they put a smile on your face and hope in your heart that winter will soon be over, with warmer days not far behind.