Skywatch. . . . . . .

Even during bad times keep looking up. . . . . . and raising your eyes

 upward at this time of year can really fill your heart with beauty and hope.

Hope is what we should strive for in all aspects of life.

I truly appreciate how so many of you have written to me, or

commented here, with concern regarding Jasmin's accident. 

This incident has really caused me stress and anxiety. These are

 the times in life when true friends come through and offer support.

I thank those of you who have done that.

Jasmin had started a new job just three weeks ago and was feeling 

really happy about the changes in her young life. No longer having a car is

 going to be a struggle when the rental from the insurance company runs out.
Sadly, a car of that age has a very low book value despite its low mileage and 
good condition (it used to be mine!), and the insurance payment will in no way
enable her to buy another car in such good shape!

However, although worried, she is doing well and hopefully will have no

 long term physical problems from her injuries.

The outcome of this accident could have been so much worse. 

As we all know, and many of you have mentioned, losing a car is nothing when

 compared to losing a life. As one friend said, "be thankful you provided her 

with a sturdy car (Toyota Camry XLE) which probably saved her life, and

 that the airbags deployed".

Today, we've learned the drunk driver does have insurance - he 

is scheduled to appear in court here in two weeks' time.

Soon o'er their heads blithe April airs shall sing;

A thousand wild flowers round them shall unfold;

The green buds glisten in the dews of spring,

And all be vernal rapture as of old.

..........John Keble ~ 1792-1866

 First fig!

 All photos taken in my garden today.

O, how this spring of love resembleth

The uncertain glory of an April day; 

Which now shows all the beauty of the sun,

And by and by a cloud takes all away.

. . . . . William Shakespeare (Two Gentlemen of Verona) 1564-1616

Another weekend here already - how fast the days pass.

April will have perhaps arrived before I get back here.

Enjoy yourselves and stay safe always.

The perks of Southern living . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . often begin with the weather.

We are so fortunate right now having what everyone is calling 'an early Spring'.

This February weather is fantastic - not saying it will last as there can be really

harsh weather here even in March, but we are certainly enjoying these mild days

 and embracing the sunshine and brilliant blue skies.

Yesterday we did some garden chores and it was actually hot outside.

I was able to gather these pretty blooms to bring into the cottage. . . . . . 

I love cutting my own flowers, even just a few can bring color and smiles

for several days.

Happy Sunday. . . . . . . . . I'm sending these blooms north to all my friends

 who won't see their daffodils until later. Do take care moving all that snow!

Shopping for Spring. . . . . . . .

Yes, my tulips are now blooming in the garden.

No, these are not from my garden!

A magnificent bunch of one dozen parrot tulips for just

$7.99 at Trader Joe's a couple of days ago.

I just couldn't resist.

I think they're stunning, don't you agree?

A small but beautiful tree. . . . . . . . . . .

Yesterday the official temperature reached 82F here in Raleigh ~ quite a 

hot pre-Spring day.

Being St. Patrick's Day there were many short sleeved Kelly green t-shirts visible ~

both on the street and the outdoor patios of restaurants and watering holes.

'Erin go Bragh' was heard on tongues not necessarily Irish. Seems we are all 

suddenly Irish on March 17.

The subject of this post is really my precious Tulip magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora)

which suddenly showed color in yesterday's sunshine. 

Petals burst through, and the fuzzy buds took on a beauty all their own. 

No longer the tiny shrub I planted a few years back, this baby is now a small tree. 

Native to southwest China ~ Sichuan and Yunnan ~ but cultivated for 

centuries elsewhere in China and Japan.

A deciduous small tree to about 12 feet tall, smaller than other magnolias, 

it blooms profusely in early Spring with large pink to purple showy flowers, 

before the leaf buds open. . . . and I love it.