My son is back from his paradise island, so of course our momentary nod to tropical climes has reverted to cold, as if it never happened, just in time for his re-entry.  Hopefully he’s as glad to be home as we are to have him.

Undaunted, the crocuses are putting on a brave face, and the radicchio (?) heads are standing firm.

Every time I go out to the compost pile behind the shed, “Joey” jumps out from under the shed, where he hangs out, and pours on the affection (as long as the fierce Misu isn’t around).  Here’s Misu’s not-amused face.

It was 76° today!  The crocuses have gone mad!  Misu and I gardened, i.e. she supervised from a lounging position, and stalked things.  My first little pepper has germinated indoors!  Such a teaser.

But the biggest news is, I heard a chorus of peepers and tree frogs today!  That’s how warm and wet it’s been.  I wish I could post a picture of sound!  That’s my favorite event of the year, but usually not this early.

It was 70° yesterday, practically subtropical, and the crocuses were going crazy.

We drove up to Maryville (“Murvul”) to check in on the critters for my son, where I practiced my cat-herding skills.  Pictured are his daffodils getting ready to pop.  His crocuses are not as far along, being in a different climate zone up there in the hills.

While we were at it, we checked out a new to us thrift store run by some women and a cat (shown relaxing on its throne).  They also foster animals for adoption, right in the shop.  Then we dropped in our friends at Southland Books and Café, grabbed lunch and a book, and got to talk to the elusive Matthew, always worthwhile.

Next, we located a Liberty Tax and got E’s taxes done, which was a relief.  We even got a frickin’ free teeshirt!  (“You do life.  We do taxes.”)  The Maryville branch was awesome.  (I still can’t get used to the fact that I’m too poor to do taxes anymore, but I’ll live with it!)

On the way home, we stopped at our local pet supply store to find out about the next pet clinic, where we hope to take Misu to establish her medical status and get her preventive shots and tests done.  Hopefully she won’t already be chipped, so we can go ahead with our own, and set her up with a vet and spaying, if needed.

It was about 60° out, and I was feeling better, so I made up for lost time by widening the bed along the fence, where I intend to plant climbing summer veggies, sunflowers, etc.  The soil is like concrete reinforced with weeds, so not easy going, but I made headway.  It will take a lot of soil amendments before I can get anything to thrive there.  One step at a time.

Both Misu and Midnight AKA “Joey” were out in the springlike weather, stalking me and critters.  This radicchio was looking particularly stunning.

I pick the darnedest weather to be under the weather.

It’s a warm, sunny 67°, and instead of being out gardening, I’ve felt like crap for days, as I periodically do.  But never mind that; I had to get out there anyway, and lo and behold, this is what I found!  Bunches of crocuses in full bloom!  So exciting!

Other flowers are trying to poke their heads out, too.  Misu was busy plowing the garden, then getting a drink of rainwater (finally thawed) after all her exertions.  I feel like a lazy slacker, being sick.

My son is far away, “working” in a Caribbean tropical paradise, far more exotic than a few brave crocuses, but I’ll take anything I can get.  Flowers are affordable therapy.

Yesterday, my son was outside strolling, Misu was stalking him and basking, and I was puttering in the garden, it being almost springlike for a change.  As is the custom, Avdi was the first to spot something amazing–crocuses blooming!  So unexpected, after all this polar arctic crap.  There were also daffodil buds getting ready to pop.  There is hope to be had in the tiniest occurrences.  And comedy in the funniest places–here’s Misu lounging with the Skullies.