In the Garden
A tap dance of ice, snow, rain, and wind has kept me inside most of the month of January, but fortunately not all of God's creatures share my recoil. Just last week a pair of wrens decided to take up residence in an azalea shrub at the end of my porch. Their frequent songs have been nothing short of inspirational. The male (I assume) sits on the top branches and sings his little heart out.
Today I went out to add seeds to the birdfeeders. The pair scampered into the thickest part of the shrub and got very still. "This should keep you happy for a few days." I thought as I overfilled the receptacles. Later in the day I read that wrens mostly eat insects. So who has been eating my bird seed? - who knows - maybe the squirrels.
The path to the birdfeeders took me past borders where I planted spring and summer flowers. I didn't want to look too closely at the bare twigs and grey plots, but when a clump of green caught my eye, I couldn't resist looking around. Sure enough, there it was - a full stream of greenery following the lenght of the driveway. I figured if the star flowers were this far along there must be other bulbs pushing up their green spires as well. I was right. All through my flower beds I could see the tips of snow drops and jonquils pushing through the dirt.
The next time I find the courage to venture out I'm going to check on the buds of the mountain laurel to see if they're getting bigger. Fortunately I can track the progress of two camellias through the kitchen window. The blossoms are much later this year than last. Only two flowers at the very top of the trees have opened. One thing is for sure. There won't be any false starts for the forsythia this year.
Apparently I'm determined to be mopey this winter. I keep getting emails from the native plant society announcing speakers at venues within driving distance and plant rescue projects at the same distance. Why can't they wait until March? I really want those plants they are rescuing, but I can't bring myself to go digging in the woods this time of year. Fortunately the plants cannot be sold except at the native plant sale in May. I plan to be first in line. I really do want those plants.
