Ar theacht an t-Earrach

Yes, it's a terrible picture, but it's the best my lame little phone can do. On Monday I saw snowdrops in bud, but these little gems were the first flowers I've spied open. Yesterday, when the weather turned cool again, they closed up, but they should be back in their glory tomorrow. Elsewhere, daffodils are sprouting, but I haven't seen any trees in bud yet.

Our garden is looking particularly grim. monshu keeps telling me it's too early for anything to be up, but so thoroughly did everything die back on the hellstrip that I can't even locate where things should be. I hope this doesn't spell the end of our epimediums; I had hopes for them. It also complicates the placement of the seedlings I plan to order from the Missouri Department of Conservation. The timing is tricky in any case; if I wait too long, they'll be sold out, but I don't relish the prospect of trying to plant anything in frozen ground.

There's also the issue that they don't sell anything in bundles of fewer than ten, but I may have a solution to that. Yesterday, I came across the gay couple who live across the street and said to the tall one, "I have a proposition for you." ("Right here in the street?" his partner replied with a tone of mock disapproval.) When I suggested he take some of the seedlings for his yard, he seemed amenable. So I may put the order in as early as next week. The surprising thing about that convo, though, was how warm the Irishman was. He engaged me, suggested we all get together for a drink sometime, and asked for my number. Maybe, if the Old Man is up to it, I'll see about reviving my cocktail nights next month to furnish an opportunity.