Winter's End

Mark Twain once said, "In the spring, I've counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours." 

 The last weeks we've had about the same amount of different kinds all spread out! Athena area went from stunning sunny days where blooms were popping out like crazy, to snow and below 30 temps. I was concerned for my flowers and crouched in snowflakes to photograph them on Friday. The night photos were beautiful!

 In the morning, it wasn't quite as thrilling. I picked a few of the fallen, but figured they were a loss.

 Even Moses came off the porch for a minute, this is about as far as he wandered!!!!! Less than 2 feet from the last step.

 Everyone on Sunday was starving. This guy wasn't impressed Jon was photographing him while snacking! The squirrel decided to ignore Jon, as usual. There was also one under the front yard bird feeder, we think that is the female.We had so many different birds. The usual junco and assorted finches, but we even had a juvenile red wing blackbird! Those don't often visit. The suet feeder was hung, but they aren't as interested in that yet. Steve saw a round of robins--a bunch of robins is called a round--huddled up with fluffy feathers. The feeders aren't as handy for the bug eaters. Thankfully, the snow is starting to melt a bit. Hoping the feathered friends will be able to find something to suit their appetites out there.

With the melting, my front yard daffodils are starting to perk up. However, the backyard ones next to the house are not as happy looking. 

 The flowers are along the house, which normally is festive. However, they are also under the edge of the roof and  the ice and snow fall right on top of them. Many of the flowers I clipped and brought in to 'melt' in the sink. Some I had to leave because they were so encased, they broke when I tried to free even a portion of the plant. Others were under the snow and frozen daffs on top, those I carefully unearthed and brought inside.

 You can see how tattered some of the blooms are, but you can also see how, especially on the bottom right one, the ice is melting away. I have several vases of blossoms now! The one in bud is open and the house smells delightful! Although, that may be why Jon and I have runny noses!!!

 Last Thursday I took pictures of a giant apricot tree across the road. Sunday, the tree was still white. But not a speck of pink could be seen. I'm not betting there will be much of a fruit crop this season.

Our temps are improving during the day, night has them in the 20's. Most of the rest of the bulbs are green stems or leaves. This is good, tulips are fragile and don't manage in cold like the daffodils.