Limping in slowly

Yup. Spring is limping in slowly.

The problem is we had such a warm, sunny, early spring last year, and I guess we expected the same this year.

It ain't happenin'.

We've had a few beautiful, warm days in the high 60's, but they've been just that: few.

Today has been a windy, chilly one. When Molly and I went for our morning walk, I wore my parka, knitted wool hat, and Polartec gloves. Molly, of course, wore her usual brown fur jumpsuit which seems to be comfortable for her in almost any weather.

At least the snow is now 98.9% gone. The only lingering bits of it are in the shady spots behind the house.

The scilla is in bloom, as you can see from the top picture.

Ken went on a bird-house-building spree a couple of weeks ago and made ten new houses. The &*$%#@ squirrels had pretty much destroyed the old bird houses, enlarging the entrances so they and any of their obese buddies could crawl inside. I've been keeping an eye on the new houses but haven't seen any prospective renters yet.

Hummingbirds should arrive in a week or two, and then the Baltimore orioles. I always plan to catch sight of an oriole by Mother's Day at the latest. Last year we were in China in May and missed the orioles completely, so I've got to make sure I see them this year. They love the fresh oranges I put out for them, but even more than oranges, they love the suet cakes I make for them. I've got two or three cakes stored in the fridge for their arrival.

Two years ago an oriole pair built a nest in the back yard, high up on a branch near our back deck. We loved watching Mom and Dad feed the babies. Then one day we went out to check on them and discovered a predator of some kind had destroyed the nest during the night and, I'm afraid, eaten the babies. I hate it when innocent little creatures fall victim to critters bigger than they.

The crocuses are in bloom. I bet they bloomed at least two weeks earlier last year.

The leaves that Ken and I have worked diligently to rake from the lawn (Ken's job) and the big flower garden (my job) are pretty much staying in their new location, but I see a few have crept back to the crocuses.

As you can see, these are oak leaves. We like our tall oak trees, but oh, the acorns! Gazillions of them. Ken has been hard at work raking them off the lawn, too.

This is a lousy shot of my basil seedlings, but I had to include it here just the same. I love checking out the progress of these seedlings each day. I set them on my kitchen windowsill each morning and near the woodstove at night. I hope they do well. I love basil. I've also planted some parsley and some cucumber seeds, but it's too early for them to poke through the soil yet.

I won't be able to think seriously about the actual, outdoor gardens until the end of May.

I don't like to wish time away, but I am eager to get my garden planted.