Hello Spring

I am having a writer's block as I didn't write for so long and thus got out of practice. Last year, I could not pay attention to my garden as I was involved in lots of voluntary work, teaching programming to kids or helping non-profit organizations along with my own work and research. Even my neighbors told me that he missed enjoying all the sunflowers that grow along his side of the yard, and picking up big pumpkins. All these neglect has resulted in a yard that requires too much work, de-weeding, pruning and planting. And, I need to complete all these in between my work and travel. But, at last, I'm glad that I can do such thing. We had our last snow (hopefully fingers crossed) on March 31st. It was a very strange snowy-day as it started with rain-snow (or snow-rain whatever you want to call it) which was very strange to watch. It was raining but the rain was not water but wet-snow. So, if you looked outside, you will see a curtain of rain but thick curtain of rain (thus you won't be able to see much further out as you can easily do even in big downpours); however, it was not a curtain of snow. So, you have to use all your imagination to understand this strange-looking weather-phenomena.

But since then spring is trying to come back here with all its vigor. Though the night temperature is often falling below freezing but the days are usually gorgeous with bright sunny, fluffy white clouds on a blue sky, and temperature hovering between 55 and 60 F (between 13 to 15 degree C). Finches, American Robins, Doves and Canadian Geese are back. Air is always filled with songs and whistles of our various feather-friends, who I also see tugging into my dried/dead lawn grass, leaves, twigs and branches to find materials for their homes. Crocuses are blooming; daffodils, hyacinths and spring bulbs are out. And, I am busy planting, pruning, buying and ordering more bulbs, seeds, plants and trees. This year I am focusing on flowers/plants which not only attract bees but also butterflies, moths and hummingbirds.