Thank you Phil!

I was so happy to hear that Punxatawney Phil didn't see his shadow yesterday! It has been so stinking cold here in paradise. Not miserable and wet like it is in southeast Idaho and Utah, but it's been c-o-l-d! Now having said that, I'm entirely aware that in the last 25 years, he's only been right about his predictions 24% of the time. Even giving him the benefit of the doubt, maybe the "magical fountain of youth punch" wasn't strong enough or maybe his translator's command of Groundhog-ese was lacking, I still say,

"Sorry Phil, but that's not a good average."

I know I'm not alone in wanting an early spring; all of the trees and bushes around here are looking forward to it too! I have a beautiful Paper Birch that is budding. If those buds freeze, that would be sad. All over Boise, the flowers are beginning to poke their heads out. I know its wrong to want it to come early but it's so beautiful to see life in the form of green growing things when the skies have been gray and the nights have been cold. Of course until it's here to stay, I'll enjoy the warmisher days and find my flowers where I can. I found these in the Boise River.