Who's looking forward to spring?

Those are great photos, greenthumb and whomever took the one of VV. I love it when my cat cuddles with me.

Boris' ruff (? - the thick fur around his neck) is very Maine coon-like. He's so handsome!
And yes, Bella is tres belle : - )

Funny video, Holly! When I was in college, students built snow slides from dorm windows when there were bumper snowfalls.

Aspen was an American Eskimo and loved the snow. I found this picture of her from many snows ago. I prefer to stay holed up in the basement with the wood stove keeping everything warm and toasty and miss having the dogs around on days like this.

Ad was funny, and I love the pandas, they are so cute they almost don't look real. LOL
Snow is all done and it's 39*F, cleared surfaces are drying out.

It almost feels balmy out there. I went out to babysit with my boots on soicouldgettothecar and without a coat.

I LOVE beagles and I'm not really a cat person, but Boris is very handsome.

all the pets are wonderful!

We spent some time out in the sun and no coats, playing with drainage around the house. No disasters.
I can get quite obsessed with creating little rivers and streams through the slush. I need to borrow a five year old as a "cover"

All this melting is supposed to come to a screeching halt tomorrow

Bella and I continued our recommendation course of therapy - successfully, I might add...

Sally, you were only pushing the slush around in order to improve the drainage, right? ; - )

Well, VV, what else ya gonna do in this, once all the berry pictures are taken.

Oh yes Muddy, enhanced melting - NO actual shoveling!

Haha Sally. After I finished my paper route yesterday about noon, I stayed out on my route and played with the drainage in many spots to enhance my possibilities of clear pavement deliveries today after the refreeze. Opened channels to 5 storm drains thru the slush which helped clear the streets and driveway ends while the melt was at peak. Most of my customers had their driveways cleared by teams of 'workers' that flock to these clustered homes after a snow and go door to door...$25 cash per driveway. All of that snow plus the one 1/2 lane plow pass sits in the designed curb drainage and blocks flow down stream and a refrozen wall of 10-12 inch high hard ice that can easily scrape off the undersides of my low slung little corolla!

I also love the giant science experiment of the closest thing I hope to get to polar ice cap and glacier melt and how rapidly melt water can erode the ice cap above. Lol, I fancied myself as having the 'big picture' snow melt drainage while each home owner only saw their little part!

Cancel the five yr old kid, I'll borrow you!

I grew up on a hilly street and usually the gutter water ran underneath the snow pile if given a chance, which had its own fascination. But if it soaked the slush, oh man, a recipe for really solid ice, as you said. Here on our relative flat lands of AA Co we see more puddles unless we help out.

I'm so glad you had a break of sun and milder air for that. And that you survived the storm!

I currently have no Bella or Boris to turn to for winter weary therapy, so yesterday I treated myself to a grocery store plant. I bought a golden yellow Primrose. I think it is only the golden yellow ones that have such remarkable fragrance that says 'spring' to my heart and soul.

After putting out more bird seed with the sun and day still warm, I sat outside for almost two hours just watching the birds and inhaling the primrose! Didn't want the sun to set! Arose deeply refreshed from the labors of the week and the stress of survival mode hyperness.

I think the primrose pot might just fit in my car's cup holder so it's fragrance can infuse even my deliveries today with placid serenity.

Sally, can't tell you how much it meant to Wayne and I that you were concerned about us! Bless you!

It's quite a juggling act to satifsy everyone's expectations and still make it through a weather event with no loss of life or limb. Wayne was able to get to the plant before it closed at 6 am and pick up our papers and then came the 15 miles back home where we waited until 8 to attempt our routes as we wanted as much road crrew clearing as possible. None of the roads on our route of 800 customers are County maintained and the one that cuts thru is a lesser priority and by 8 had only had one pass and was quite icy and our 4 wheel drive vehicle was still in the shop.

Most of our customers (20 years!) know that we will be there and they all have our phone # to check with us. Some called to offer a cup of coffee or hot chocolate when we did arrive, several others called to let us know that their road had just been cleared and it was safe. Only one lady called to say it was now 7:30 am and for the second Sunday in a row she didn't have her paper.
before the delivery deadline! I told her that our deadlines had been extended until 10 am and she said "Well, The Post got here!" Then I lost my usual customer cool ( There have been at least three times that Wayne and I were the only papers of the major three to make it through).
Can't stand it when someone values thier newspaper over our lives and sanity! I told her we would bring it to her door when (and if ) we got there if it wasn't before 10 and to include an extra big tip to her Post delivery person!

Even my compulsive perfectionism can't satisfy all of the people all of the time. 99% over 20 years just has to be good enough! Guess it depends on who is keeping score....

Ah Primrose, take me away!

The timing of this storm could not possibly have been worse for your duties.
That woman clearly has no concept of your side of things. It is awfully nice that several others do and express it to you..

Ditto to what Sally said. Knowing your car issues I was praying for you guys to stay warm and on the road. The rock hardness of the refreeze is terribly hard on vehicles, especially the low-slung ones.

YAY for primrose therapy!!

Greetings to all.....remember me? I sure do remember you good folks. I do see a couple of names that I am not familiar with, but hopefully that can be rectified soon.

I came in earlier today and read the thread and knew I had been away for a while because I couldn't find where to post. Unbeknownst to me, I had let my subscription lapse. I signed up and then proceeded to do what has mostly kept me away from my spending computer time with you folks.....went to the store that is now nearing one years operation.

I am now home and having a cup of coffee. Yum. Always good on a cold day.....anyway, I came by earlier and wanted to express what was on my mind. Yes, I have been missing in action, but everyone please know that many of you often cross my mind, and the thoughts are always pleasant.

I came to Dave's about eight or nine years ago and my life at the time began to fall apart. I faced many health problems within a very short period of time. I remember how well ministered I felt by all of the great folks at Dave's. Facing the obstacles at that time were made a whole lot easier due to the friendships I found here.

I came to a realization over the past weekend and wanted to share with you folks. I am once again at a place where life is difficult. I was heartened when reading this thread earlier and seeing folks refer to their past furry friends.....On Friday I had to put down the two loves of my life.....Dagmar and Blue had been with me since puppy-hood and were about the fifteen year old range.

I am currently working through the grief which is so very painful. It has been such a long time since I have felt this low and I realized just how I missed the support of the wonderful people here that I feel privileged to call friends. I am hoping to be accepted back once again and hopefully I won't suck folks dry but at some point soon can become a contributing member of the group again.

I think that I have learned the lesson well that I can't just go about business as usual as I might have in the past. This weekend was a long one, as has today been also. I have friends in the community and other family members, but I really felt out of sorts during this loss and felt that I have done myself an injustice by not staying as connected here as I might have.

I am humbly asking that you kind folks accept me back in to the flock. It has been a lonely year and the death of my two dogs has rubbed it hard in my face. I know that I will get over the worst of the grief soon and am looking forward to brighter days and possibly the idea of inviting another furry friend in to our household some time in the future. It is hard to have such a dramatic change after fifteen years of doing something.

I will close for now and go and either watch more comedians on u-tube or check out more celebrity homes. I have found both to be therapeutic over the last several days. A comment on the topic of this thread.....looking forward to spring.....yeah, I suppose. Last year there was very little gardening done here at our place. Not sure what this season will bring. Running a store has not left time to do much of anything other than being there. It has been a fun adventure and the plans at the moment are to do it for at least one more year. After that, who knows?


Amidst my current sorrow there have been things to be grateful for. If it took the deaths of my boys to get me back here, so be it. I look forward to once again being a part of the lives of so many here that I know and love. Stay warm all.

Ruby

Wow, I hope karma catches up with that woman!

This spring I'll take time to smell the Primroses. I have a patch, but have never noticed any scent from them.

Edited to add that our posts crossed, Ruby.
I'm so sorry for your losses and glad that you've reached out to us.

This message was edited Feb 23, 2015 7:12 PM

Of course we remember you, Ruby!. So sorry to hear about Dagmar and Blue. Pets are such wonderful parts of our lives.

Hi Ruby!

I'm not from the Mid-At, but I play like it here on DG...

And - I remember you from past years on the forums. Glad you are back at it.

I just googled to see where-in-the-world Crozet is, and I see you are nigh on in the backyard of Swannanoa! One of my favorite places to stop and wonder around when passing through those parts of Virginia. I was just there last October.

Don't be a stranger.

Ruby, You weren't really gone, just missing for a short time. Some time life has a way of filling up our time, and you and John have been having a great new adventure. Ric and I talk of you often and wonder how the new shop is going for you. So very sorry to hear of your loss, such unconditional love pets bring to our lives. So very good to hear from you again.

Ruby Ruby Ruby!

Just this morning my thoughts turned to you as I wondered how all these storms and snow and cold had treated you and John...smiled when I remembered your whole house generator as a wise move for those power outages. Wrote a note to give you a call...and here you are!

Heart connections find a way to reveal themselves as needed. I feel our animal friends keep our heart songs intact until (Like longed for Spring) we burst forth with them again,

May Dagmar and Blue rest in peace knowing that you have reached out to the wider circle of grace filled love that sustains us all. I am glad that you could have walked with them and they with you special lady from puppyhood.

Welcome back and hugs to you.

Ruby, how wonderful to see your name pop up here! So sorry to hear about your dogs. They really are members of our family.

Muddy is hosting the spring swap in Fairfax. Maybe we can see you there?

Meanwhile, here's a comedian you might enjoy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlqJ4bsu8BA

The link is to an hour-long special by Jim Gaffigan, who usually has family-friendly, observational style of comedy, although I haven't watched that particular special yet.

Good thinking, ssg! Yes, Ruby, please try to come to the plant swap on May 9th. I don't believe I've met you and John, but I'd love to have the chance!

Ruby, I think of you and John often. I am so sorry to hear about Dagmar and Blue. I know how sad it is to lose wonderful dog companions after they have been part of your family for so many years. I am glad to hear from you and am sending big hugs your way.

Oh, RUBY!!!! Soooo very glad to see you. I will add my sentiments in that I think of you and John often and wonder how your store adventure is. Many hugs from here as you grieve over your dear fur babies. Wonderful to see your post.

Hi Ruby it's sad to hear about Dagmar and Blue, sometimes I wish we didn't outlive them, but that is being selfish, leaving them to grieve. Holly's right, I never thought of you as gone, just missing for awhile.

Ruby, resending you a Dmail.

This message was edited Feb 25, 2015 12:14 PM

Hello again to all. Thank you for the warm welcome back. SSG, thank you so much for the link to the comedian. I will check it out later when I have the time to devote to it. I watched a lot of Jimmy Fallon clips the past few days and that was a good way to take my mind off the hurt I am experiencing.

I am having a bit of a problem in the motivation department. Not too very much I want to do. I did go the shop on Monday afternoon and that was therapeutic for me. I thought of going today but decided against it due to having other things to do the next two days and hopefully I will find the ummmppphhh here in a bit to get up and address a few chores that are staring me in the face.

Muddy and all, thank you for invite to the swap.....you just never know. Last fall at Terri's we attended and that was the first day we had closed the shop during open days, so it takes something as wonderful as these swaps to get us away from it. VV, I am familiar with Swannanoa and can understand the draw it has for you. I often forget how fortunate I am to live in such a beautiful area of the country. The mountains here are truly majestic and breath taking at times.


I am not sure of todays temperature but I am hearing melting drops of liquid falling off the roof, so must be at least fairly warm outdoors. The hillsides are still snow covered, so the white stuff isn't going away too very quickly.

Again, thank you to all who wrote. Each message brought a smile to my lips. Stay warm and dry all.

Ruby

Happy Birthday, Ruby!

Sally, your article about Xanthorhiza simplicissima was very interesting. I'm predicting a run on available commercial supplies !

Be sure to check out the spring show schedule!!!http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1311545/#new

Speaking of spring, as I was watching yet another snowfall this morning I felt compelled to give vent in verse:

So sick of snow and freeze-ass cold,
Our endless winter's getting old.
This arctic clime is not my thing,
Oh how I long for warmth and spring.
To see some young and tender shoots,
And put away my winter boots.
To go outside in just a shirt,
And labor digging in the dirt.

Love it!

He is a poet and doesn't know it HA HA HA.. I made a funny. David that is cute.

David--YOU GO!!!! Love your limerick...

You need to post it on the "Poetry on a Pile" Thread.

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/881246/
It is one of my "missions in life" to keep this thread going.

have you looked at it? Read it? It is worth the time!
Part #1 started in 2006--that is how long it has been around!
I drag this Thread out of the dust bin every year or so to keep it going.

Please contribute.....At least scroll down and enjoy the talents of those
that have shared their ditties.
****************************************Like this:

I have tried many, times--
seems this thread's mired in poo...
Just get the shovel,
you know what to do!

Dig really deep
Let the juices seep....
Take a break from the stench
Sit down on a bench
And--give this some though
It won't be for naught

Just start with a line
and make it rhyme
Then ad another
It will come together....
Just give it a try.

Gita

Love that, greenthumb!

Excellent, greenthumb! My sentiments exactly.

Gita, did you write that?

A short haiku:

Snow falls again,
covering the ground
where I want to sow.

Yes, Muddy--I wrote it right on the spot . I can knock these kind of ditties out
in no time flat.

Check out the link to the "Poetry on the Pile"--there are lots more....PLEASE!!!

Explain to me what a "haiku" poem is. What makes it a "haiku"?

Here you go, Gita, this explains it better than I can: http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Haiku-Poem

Thanks, Muudy!

The whole time i read the article i was thinking how I could write a Haiku poem
about blackbirds.....see below--how is this?
SO--NO judgement---nothing defined..just suggested...nature related.


Irridescence of feathers
Reflected in the sun
Night flies away on the wing
Peace embraces early Morn.

G.

Nice one!

David, my rhyme about winter goes like this; *^%$ to go, till &^%$# &^#@*%&$ snow!

I just came across my book called"Tapestries of Life". It is full of wonderful,
poems and writings--by famous, or non-famous literary people.
The kind you want to read again and again.

I looked in the "Seasons" section and saw this short literary versing.
*********************************

I saw God write a gorgeous poem this very morning.
With the fresh sunbeam for a pencil, on the broad sheet of snow,
the diamond letters were spelled out one by one, till the whole
was aflame with poetry.

Phillips Brooks
***********************************
G.