Springishness and Yard Chores

Yesterday, we hid a few chocolate-filled Easter eggs around the back yard for our grand-daughter to find. Okay, Papa hid them-- he had fun, I think. I filled them ahead of time. It's really a lot of fun doing this grandparent thing! While we were outside, I surveyed the state of things after winter-- the raspberries appear to have spread (good), the strawberries are showing new growth already (also good), and the rhubarb is up and sending out little leaves already (and that's good, too). The roses are off to a slow start, and there's likely a ton of breakage and die-back; I'll give them a week or two to show me where there's still some life, and I'll prune the rest. I always look like I lost a fight with a truly annoyed cat when I do that chore, so I don't mind waiting a little. 

No sign of life from the asparagus yet, but the snow and ice pack has only just melted. These things take a little time. The daffies are ready to bloom, the lilacs are budding out well, and it appears that the fruit trees are okay. All in all, it looks like we've made it through another winter. Mostly, anyhow.

The amount of yard clean up is daunting, though. Living on a main road as we do, there is the usual detritus that blows into our hedges to deal with. And there's the random sticks and other bits of winter breakage, dead weeds and so on to tidy up. I don't rush it too much; the fallen leaves are a haven for pollinators, and I don't want to disturb their rest. I saw my first bumblebee of the season yesterday, though, so it's almost time. And the robins have been out in full force, picking and pecking at bits and bugs. 

One of my favorite spring-themed poems is e.e. cummings' "[in Just--]" where the "world is puddle-wonderful" and children are playing and it seems that the sun is shining and we can all take a deep breath.

I hope you have a sunshiny day,

C