Those blue skies are gorgeous Konrad, reminds me of my childhood growing up on an acreage. I called spring 'the big melt'. Ubro, I hope spring is around the corner for you. I find myself antsy even at this point, daydreaming about gardening. I couldn't imagine having to wait much longer! Ostrich, the trees at work in Calgary are fully leafing out, amazing how climates differ even when so close to each other. I think microclimates are key.

I love those purple dwarf irises, woodyoak! I finally ordered some (to be delivered this fall) as I've admired them for some time. I hope they, and your other flowers, weather the ice storm. I have daffodils sprouting and budding, but nothing else. I can't remember such relentless cold weather ever before.

Spring? We went from winter directly to summer. It feels more like the 4th of July instead of Mother’s Day!

I have a German Shedder, er Shepherd. This spring I removed probably 25 daily clutches of undercoat when I brushed her each day. And everyday I'd take those handfuls of hair out to my yard and leave them. Fast forward to now and every single little pile of soft undercoat is gone. They found them. And hopefully are lining the many bird nests popping up in my trees. Maybe the squirrels took some also. It's amazing to see what squirrels will use to line their nests. Like the chair seat pad they pulled off, removed the fabric and used the foam like material for their nest. So put that dog hair out in your yard and help out the birds and squirrels.