I noticed something very peculiar going on in my backyard yesterday; new green leaves are poking through the old shoots.

I felt a pang in my stomach, wondering if these poor little buds are all sprouting too early and if an evil February frost will sweep in and kill them.

But it does, however, give me a little inspiration to get my hands dirty. I decided to rake a small section of leaves left behind from the walnut tree in attempts to put some order to the back yard.

I swear I could hear a squirrel snickering off in a tree somewhere.

It is amazing how that one simple act of tidiness not only uplifted my spirits but, I think, uplifted my backyards spirits as well.

It looks much happier.

I wanted to immediately run out and start planning my garden.  Why, why must March be in… March? And the last week of March no less. My impatience is insisting today is soon enough.

Ironically, as I just finished typing that last sentence, I went to check on my two sweeties who have been unusually quiet in the other room. I followed a trail of toys to the bathroom, where an entire bottle of toothpaste has been smeared all over the floor, and the baby, innocently enough, is sucking the bottle of hand soap.

Excellent.

Perhaps gardening can wait until…

Tomorrow?

*Note to Self

At least the bathroom is now minty fresh.