This is one of the daffodil’s that looks a little unusual. It doesn’t have that cup like center shape, but looks more like layered petals instead. I really wish I remembered what I picked out when I bought these or had a photo to reference because I really don’t remember these being so different. My other one is kind of similar, but with slightly different colors.
Tag: Nature
Daffodils And A Bear Hunt
I finally have some daffodils blooming. At the moment, I have three different ones, but I think I have a couple more that are trying to pop as well. This one looks to be the most traditional looking one so far. The other two are very different. I’ll try to get some photos later today of those if the sun would ever decide to come out.
There are all kinds of stories going around about various different neighborhoods, groups, or individuals doing things to help entertain their neighbors right now. One of the things that I’d seen was directed more towards little kids. They were calling it a bear hunt. Residents would put some sort of bear (stuffed or other) in a window where it could be seen from the outside. When the kids would go for a walk, they could hunt for the bears in the windows.
My neighborhood decided to do one as we have a lot of grade school age kids that live around here. I’m a huge bear fan and Hubby has gotten me a few really fun ones over the years, so I decided to share the one that would be most easily seen. My giant one. He kind of takes up the whole window (not that is is a huge window).
It was just a really simple thing to do and the little kids can have a fun activity that doesn’t require any interaction with other people. I thought it was cute and fun. Now I have a bear hanging out in my window waving at anyone that walks by.
I will say, it is a bit disturbing to see it up there at night. I guess older teenagers and adults can play along and find a way to give it a creepy feel as it looks a little deranged staring out at you in the dark.
Just Almost
This one has been sitting at almost open for days. I’m getting impatient. Same goes for my daffodils, though I think at least one might be open today. Sadly it is foggy and misty and on the nasty side, so I’m not sure I’ll get any pictures today.
At some point this week, I WILL get downstairs and finish up my PMC charm I’ve been working on. It seems that lately, before I even have time to think about getting to work on it, 10 other things pop up that I need to do instead. Hopefully the majority of those side things that I didn’t really plan are out of the way. Hopefully.
Magenta Hyacinth
Some of my earliest hyacinths are starting to look a little sad while I have one that is just starting. I realized today that I have so many colors of these now. A white one, two different purples, a pale pink, this kind of striped magenta and a solid magenta (that one never seems to photograph well). I have no idea what color the one that is still in deep bud phase is, but I think it might be another white.
My daffodils are just starting to open, but haven’t gotten all the way yet. I’ll probably have another day or two to share the hyacinths before I can get a good full shot of any of the daffodils. I really don’t remember what colors I got last fall, so that will be a fun surprise!
I’m going to be an absolute slug today because EVERYTHING hurts after having crawled around on my hands and knees working on that floor yesterday. I love it when my body reminds me that I’m really an out of shape old lady and not some young thing. BG had to make a point of telling me that she feels just fine today. The little shit!
So Many Changes
Today is our first day of a completely new normal.
Over the weekend, our mayor put our city on a shelter-in-place order, so all non-essential business are shut down. We were already pretty much treating it like that, so it won’t be a massive change for us, though I’ve heard/seen a lot of people complaining or stressing over this order. For us, we are just going to keep doing what we have been and doing our best to not be a part of the problem.
The kids are starting to learn their new routines for their online classes. It is going to be interesting for my kids as they are both so self motivated, they will probably have the week’s worth of assignments done by the first day of the week, depending on how the teacher posts assignments. It is going to be an interesting process for them. I joked with BG that with the online stuff she could get the rest of her high school finished before MC graduates and they could graduate together (not that that is an option, just a statement about how quickly she gets her stuff done).
We also got more information from BG’s dance studio. They have opted to do what they could to shift their classes to online. I’ve got to say, with what I’ve seen so far, I’m absolutely blown away with what they’ve managed to put together. I’ve always liked her studio and how they do things, but this goes so far above and beyond. They could have just as easily said we are just shutting down, but to keep these kids going and to ensure that all the staff at the studio still gets paid, they are doing everything they can to make sure that the “show must go on” while keeping everyone safe at the same time. I’m a little in awe at their dedication and determination.
As part of that, I’ll be working on getting BG a safe space to dance. It is something that I promised her a while ago since trying to dance on our concrete floor in the basement is too slick. She has come close to falling a couple of times in the past. Now, I get to build a makeshift dance floor. I have all the stuff, I just need to get it done, so that is on my project list for today. I’m hoping like crazy that it works like I think it will.
I should have some daffodils to photograph soon. The buds are on and getting bigger, but they aren’t quite open yet. My hyacinths managed to hold on through two freezes over the weekend. We absolutely need some color and beauty right now.
Crocus In Black & White
Leaf Veins In The Sun
I had been crawling around taking photos of my hyacinths (so far, still thriving even through the freeze) and I had turned around to get up when I noticed how the sunlight was hitting the leaves that were trapped under my barberry bushes. So much detail and so pretty!
Hyacinths In Bloom
According to the calendar and BG, who informed me while flying down the stairs and out the door to change my sign, that yesterday was the first day of spring. It was a beautiful, sunny 75 degrees.
Today? It is 30 and potentially sat below freezing long enough to have done damage to my newly out flowers, so I have no clue how many pretty photos of these I’ll have to share. At least today is still sunny.
Line of Raindrops
Drops of Reflection
The last several days have been cool and dreary with a side of misty and rainy. I could use a little sun for a few days. Especially considering both BG and I haven’t been feeling awesome. Pretty sure it is annual allergies trying to set in.
Constantly Changing
This time yesterday, our city had only implemented a ban on certain size gatherings with our state having followed not far behind with the same as a suggestion. Within a few hours, that gathering size number had reduced for our city. A few hours later, our city mayor closed schools, restaurants, theaters, and bars and put in place a ban on gatherings larger than 10. The mayor. Our county and state government has not.
Have I mentioned that our city doesn’t have a single confirmed case? There are a few in surrounding counties, so a part of the metro area, but not our city itself. Some of those surrounding counties are following our mayor’s lead. Other cities in our state do have cases, yet they aren’t implementing these measures and our governor isn’t doing anything other than suggesting the earlier limit on gathering sizes (that does not include businesses or schools). A suggestion, not a ban.
I’m thrilled our mayor is being so aggressively proactive. His stance forced our kids’ school to move to an online program after spring break because of the closure even though the district itself isn’t in the city, but part of a cooperative of districts in the area.
We got word this morning that Hubby’s work is moving to a work from home model for all employees that are capable of doing so. Even BG’s dance studio is implementing classes via a video app so they can learn the remainder of their routines. While there is still a very real chance that the recital will end up canceled or, at the very least, postponed, the kids will be ready to go however this pans out.
I am just extremely relieved all the way around. It all looks very different, but life is still going on. I will be utterly heartbroken if recital and MC’s graduation end up canceled, but I would much rather see those things canceled if it means we are flattening the curve and if it keeps anyone from being put at risk.
Beginning To Open
These aren’t quite open, though they are getting so close. I have a couple that are still deep into the new bud phase that will take even longer. It is kind of nice as it will keep something blooming in that front bed for a while.
I got confirmation that the prom that MC was still hoping to go to is getting canceled or postponed and I’m relieved. I hate that he is disappointed, but I’m also glad that this is settled. I can do what I’ve known for a while is the right thing without a lot of extra stress.
Hubby and I have been talking also about whether he is going to choose to work from home after he goes back to work. He had taken the first few days of the kids’ spring break off so we could spend time together as a family. After a few things that happened last week that bothered me, I’m really concerned about him going back into the office.
My concern is that I may be at a higher risk than your average healthy person because of my winter bronchitis. I’m still coughing, so the concept that he could be exposed and bring that home with him is frightening, especially if you have spent any time at all reading some of the stories. I know that I’m nowhere near at risk as some, but I’m still worried.
As of right now, our state hasn’t closed schools, something that I’m really pissed off about. Granted, most of our state is on spring break, but again, this is about a massive lack of leadership from those in the position to make those decisions and their unwillingness to actually take proactive measures to ensure the well being of others.
Talk about one nasty mixed bag of emotions going on right now.
Rain Kissed Hyacinth Buds
These aren’t open yet. I do have some that are more open, but these just looked really interesting.
Rain Kissed Crocus
It is cold and rainy today, which made for some phenomenal photos, even if it is more crocus. I would have gotten more, but it was actually still misting and I really wasn’t in the mood to get drenched, so I only got a handful. I WILL have some hyacinths for you soon as they are almost open.
As I’m sure many of you are in a similar situation, my state declared a state of emergency. This is a full day after my city did so on its own, without any guidance from further up the government chain. Sadly, my city is doing a better job of actually trying to make a difference in banning certain number of gatherings (though still probably not enough), whereas my state has only made the declaration to free up funding. They have not imposed any restrictions or canceled schools, leaving it up to local heath departments.
Honestly, I’m frustrated by the whole thing. The people at the top that should be guiding the rest of this country in best practices aren’t doing squat, leaving it to those downhill to clean up the mess, but the people downhill aren’t doing any better.
I do my damnedest to keep anything political off my blog, but this is just too much. Where I live, there are no cases in the immediate area, but a few on some of the outer lying areas with more popping up every day. We are in a perfect position to stop or at least slow down this spread, at least in our area, but the people that should be making the decisions to close down schools or other major centers that are basically petri dishes are passing the buck to someone else.
The kids’ school has a plan in place to go online after spring break, but they aren’t making the decision themselves, waiting for someone to tell them they have to. I get that they may not actually have the authority to make those kinds of decisions at the district level, but someone should be stepping up and making the responsible decision.
I really try not to jump into the panic and hysteria, but this isn’t something that people are going to be able to fix or even improve on at an individual level and those that are at high risk shouldn’t be considered disposable because no one wants to step up and make the probably unpopular move to say we should shut all these things down as best we can.
Can we please just be concerned about our fellow humans for a change?
Beautiful Stripes
I should have some hyacinths to share in the next couple of days. Until then, I’ll bombard you with pretty crocus. Hopefully it will add a little beauty to the chaos that is going on in the world today.
We had to go to the grocery store last night. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it. The parking lot was completely full and that never happens. While the shelves weren’t entirely bare, there were definitely some bare spots and quite a few things on The List provided by the CDC on the recommended types of things to stock up on were really close to being bare.
I was just a little surprised that everyone was at least acting like decent humans and not a bunch of assholes. I didn’t see anyone with a cart full of nothing but one or two things being the sole reason something was wiped out. For the most part, people really were just getting those few extra things for the “just in case” scenario.
It is such a strange thing to see such a massive range in how people are responding to this. You have those that are utterly paranoid and ready to hole up in a bunker in the middle of nowhere with their 10 year stock of supplies, all the way down to those that think the whole thing is just a joke and are more pissed that they don’t have their sports to watch. It really kind of blows my mind. Especially those that really aren’t thinking about this in any serious context and are being stupidly careless.
In my house, we are in a position where we might have to make the decision to massively disappoint MC by canceling a planned trip so he could take his girl of 3 years to her prom. We had already bent over backwards to make this happen before the insanity hit, but now there is an additional personal layer of concern to this in that MCG’s (MC’s girl) household has a potentially at risk member of the family and I refuse to be the cause of someone getting sick.
I plan on talking to MCG’s mom to get her take on it, but after seeing the major changes going on all around just this morning, there is a very high likelihood that the decision will be taken out of our hands. The only reason we haven’t just canceled yet is that both our area and theirs are not currently problem areas and are relatively safe, but we are leaning heavily towards canceling. As much as I hate feeling like I’m taking this incredibly important moment from my son, I also know it is about so much more than whether or not he is disappointed.
It really is past time for people to get their heads out of the clouds and take this more seriously. Wash your hands. If you are sick, stay home. I get that not everyone has this luxury and I really do worry about those people and how they will get through this. There are enough of those that do have this luxury that aren’t taking advantage of it and being reckless in ignoring the advice of those that have the education and background to know how to help slow the spread. Be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem.
Striped Crocus
The new striped crocus bloomed out yesterday. Holy cow! Compared to my other one, it is about 3 times the size. And SO pretty.
Purple Striped Crocus Bud
I didn’t post yesterday because I was doing my best impression of being a zombie.
In an attempt to try and reset my sleep schedule to something that even remotely resembles normal, I got the wild hair to just stay awake the previous night and all day yesterday. I cannot remember the last time I attempted an all nighter like that. Probably back in my early twenties when my body didn’t rebel quiet so easily.
I actually managed to make it to about 8:30 am before my body couldn’t handle it and crashed for about 45 minutes. After that, I was awake until I headed to bed around 11 pm last night. So, in a roughly 36 hour time frame, I only got that 45 minutes of sleep. This on the tail end of getting an average of maybe 4 to 6 hours (at best, but more often 3 to 4) of extremely restless sleep for several weeks.
What’s really messed up? Even after being awake that long, when it came time to go to bed, I was still wide awake and needed to take something to help me actually get to sleep. I’m not sure that the whole adventure actually managed to fix anything.
I did get some solid sleep when I finally fell asleep, though. It’s probably the first full night I’ve gotten in well over a month (if not more, I honestly don’t know anymore). Sadly, I think I’m more tired today than I was yesterday after no sleep. Dang! My poor body and brain is so messed up.
The upside to that? I think I read something like 3 books over that 36 hour period.
Yesterday was also release day for one of my favorite authors and is the other big part of why there was no post yesterday. Because of the no sleep marathon, I was still up when the book dropped into my reading ap. Of course I started it pretty much the second I could and there was going to be no putting it down once I started.
I’m going to need to try and find some more active things to do today to shake the remaining sleepies.
Wet And Rainy
Our wonderful streak of warm, sunny days has ended and today is wet, rainy and dreary. Not the least little bit conducive to getting my camera out past the overhang on my porch.
It is a good day to go hole up in my studio and see if I can actually manage to get that little project finished. I’d love to get it done and get that mess put away so I can start on the next item on my to do list. At the very least, I need to get a photo or two because I’ve promised and haven’t pulled through just yet.
Also, it would be good to take a few steps away from the books for a bit as I’m getting rather frustrated with what I’m reading lately and I’m not entirely sure how to fix that. I have a few books coming out this month that I’m looking forward to, but there are still a few days before the first one hits my reader.
For now, I’m off to play with metal clay.
And… More Crocus
I’m really hoping to have some different flower photos for you soon, but I’m only seeing some tiny buds that still have a ways to go before there are flowers. I think the next ones I’ll get will be my other batch of crocus blooming or the hyacinths will flower out. Not sure which one will pop first.
Of course, there is a chance of snow later in the week, so there is also the possibility that even those won’t actually happen. Or if they do, they won’t be very pretty. I’m just going to have to wait and see.
Sunny Crocus
I love it when I’ve worked out a plan for a day or even the weekend only to realize at the last minute that, Oops! You have something else to do!
I had planned on getting groceries while BG was at dance today, which is a long one, and leaving open the rest of my day today and tomorrow to try and get caught up on some things. It wasn’t until this morning when I was getting ready that I realized it was a watch day and I’d be at dance with BG and my grocery run would have to be put off until tomorrow.
Seriously… love the old age brain.
While it feels like I’m never going to get all my stuff done that is on a massively long to do list, I actually did make a lot of progress getting things crossed off that list this week. Even with the hiccups and flat tires. I still have a massively long list, but it is now a slightly shorter, massively long list.
And… I have pretty flowers coming up, so that makes everything better.
Another Hyacinth
Looking at this, I realized how funny looking hyacinth buds really are. They are just so odd looking at this stage when you get up close on them. I have no clue what color this one is going to be. Pretty sure it is one of the new ones I planted in the fall, but I’ve already forgotten what colors of each thing I planted were, so I guess it is going to just have to be a surprise.
I’m still in my studio today hoping I can get this project finished without any more hiccups.
