The point is that the pleasures of spring are available to everybody, and cost nothing. – George Orwell, novelist, critic (1903-1950)

I believe that winter’s tough, but spring is coming. I believe there’s a growing season and think that you realize in life, you grow, you get better. – Steve Southerland

Flowers are popping out all over. Some say weeds, though I like Felder Rushing’s saying, “A weed is just a flower out of place.”  While walking along the westside of the “W” I often see bright yellow dandelions in all their glory. I’m tempted to snatch a few blooms for my rabbits. Then I remind myself the rabbits have gone on where they have plenty of bright yellow dandelions. Besides, I may get caught picking flowers where I’m not supposed to pick flowers. I would have to argue, “Don’t be silly, they are just weeds.”

Spring will not arrive until March 20 and yet flowers are blooming. It is suggested one should not plant until after Good Friday, being April 7. On a day of full sunshine and temperatures in the 70’s, it is tempting to dig in the earth and plant seeds or bedding plants. Caution says it can be warm today and in the 30’s tomorrow; chilling winds overnight and tornadoes by morning.

Our daffodils are out and what joy they are. I plucked a few in the bud stage, placed them in a jar of water and set it in a sunny window. The next day the buds were blooms. A few days later more daffodils had bloomed. I noticed four different varieties. This is my best guess:

The crewenna or “ice follies” varieties have a bright yellow trumpet with pale petals. It usually blooms in March but can withstand the occasional frost or freeze. It grows in full sun or partial shade. Deer do not eat daffodil bulbs which is quite nice when living in the Prairie. We can enjoy deer and daffodil bulbs.

The rapture daffodil is all over yellow and small, the trumpet protrudes forward and the surrounding petals lean backwards.  

The Professor Einstein has a bright orange trumpet with pale petals and is utterly stunning.

The Dutch master daffodil is large and yellow. It’s the classic daffodil. Bulbs will multiply in large clumps and will naturalize for years. Across the countryside random daffodils will spring up often near abandon homesites and driveways. They can be dug up and separated into other flowerbeds.

Daffodils are a delight as is the yellow blooming forsythia. It bloomed out very early. Around the little lake swamp irises are greening. A few clumps of snowbells are here and there.

In town trees are blooming. A Japanese magnolia’s purple flowers flourish between The Dispatch office and the Post Office. It gives off a sweet delicate scent. Its kin the star magnolia with white petals and a yellow center resembles a tree full of daisies. Enjoy the view.