Daddy's garden

Last fall, Kathie Holly, my bookmobile companion, game me a hydrangea in memory of Daddy. Tom built a little garden around it and we waited to see if it would survive the winter. It is now leafing out, as you can (barely) see in this photo. That's it in the foreground.

As I say, Tom built a little garden around it and there are some other plants there, some of which are further along. I was struck by this single tiny Bleeding Heart:

Bleeding Hearts do very well here at our house.

Make of that what you will

Back in Near-Icelandia

Got back yesterday afternoon. I had a great visit to Texas, saw most of my (immediate) family and helped Mama with a few things. My trip back was uneventful, and I am happy to report no bad weather- or construction-related delays along the way. I listened to audio books as usual, one on the age of Shakespeare, one on the Incas and parts of a long one on literature and life. Enjoyed them all, especially the last, which dealt with a number of writers I have not read.

When I got home, the cats were waiting for a treat (naturally) and Tom was waiting with a treat -- one of his great Chinese meals. I went to bed early and read, then slept for about nine hours and woke up to cats demanding their morning treat (naturally), which Tom had already given them. They are trying to change the treat schedule to a few Greenies every quarter hour, but we are resisting.

Anyway, today I will rest, do some shopping for lunch stuff and get ready to go back to work. It was 60 (15.5 C) and windy when I got here Sunday afternoon. Right now (7:30 Monday morning) it is 37 (2.8 C) and overcast. The good news is that it will climb to 52 (11.1 C) before dropping tonight to 28 (-2.2 C). Tomorrow the high will only be 39 (3.8 C), but at least it won't be snowing or tornadoing or any such weather drama.

Sundance was just sitting meowing at the door onto the deck, wanting to go out. When I opened the door, she poked her nose out, realized it was cold and changed her mind. Sic semper cattis!

We're okay

For those who saw the reports of tornadoes in our part of Texas (6 to 12 reported), I wanted to let you know we are fine, as are the relatives in the Dallas area. Here we had only severe thunderstorms, some pea-sized hail and about an inch or so of rain. Not even all that many leaves and twigs knocked off the trees.

TWIT (This week in Texas)

I am in Texas this week visiting my mother and assorted other relatives. I am doing some small things to help around the house -- ranging from changing light bulbs to taking her van for a recall servicing. (This latter took four hours and it turns out she will have to take it back for them to do the actual work later.)

So I may not post anything until I get back to Wisconsin next weekend. Happy Holy Week and Easter and Happy Passover and any other feasts you and yours may be celebrating these days.

The weather is frightful around us. Tornadoes to the north of us, tornadoes to the west of us, in a storm pattern that may continue into Friday. And to think I chose not to come down here in January because I didn't want to get caught in bad weather!