Ginger

I am lamenting the loss of winter. Yes, I know I am crazy for saying so. We wanted snow; snow didn’t come, at all. The most we received this year was 4 inches? We wanted feet. I hope those who received all the lovely white stuff we felt cheated out of enjoyed the frolicking, sledding and snowball fights.

I walked out on my deck this afternoon; my trees had budded overnight. I have been stealthily watching the maples and the dogwoods. My maples have started before my dogwoods which has not always been the case. My backyard consists of red oak, white oak, tulip poplar, maple and dogwood trees. The dogwood is usually the first to bloom and the first to drop its leaves. I have one white oak that is quite stubborn. When fall arrives and the leaves begin to wither and drop, this one tree will not part with all of its leaves. The bottom half of this tree will retain the dry, brittle, brown leaves until the new buds force them to fall. Then it is raking time again. Those leaves are tenacious.

I was not prepared for how quickly they are budding. It literally seemed liked it was overnight. The naked trees seem to be in a hurry to dress for spring. I don’t really mind spring finally making an appearance if it had just left the mosquitoes at bay a little longer. There was no need to invite them quite so early. The mosquitoes are feasting on my poor children. Soon they will brave their imminent demise and attempt a landing upon me. I will viciously swat at them all the while yelling “Die! Die! You blood sucking pests!! Take that!!” as I squash and swat. They love me, they really do. I shall take as many of them out as I can. It is time to purchase my annual supply of mosquito dunks.

Spring has finally sprung……………

Read more »