What gets me through the long, dark winter days?  After the holidays I count on the arrival of seed and plant catalogs to brighten up my evenings, as I spend hours flipping through the pages and plotting my spring garden.  Spring hasn't arrived here yet - there is always time for a late blizzard to catch us all off guard in April - but warm weather the last few days has melted the last of the snow and I feel my desire to be outside, messing around in my garden, starting to increase in intensity.

Thank heaven for plants in my solarium that provide a spot of color on those oh-so-dreary winter days!  The promise of little buds that turn into magnificent orchids...

 and Christmas cactus that bloom right on schedule...

Even my local Trader Joe's, that I pass on my way home each night, does its part in providing lovely and affordable bouquets that grace my kitchen and living rooms...

Emily Dickinson must have felt that same early spring fever, when she penned this delightful poem, greeting March like a dear friend come, at last, to visit. Let's all enjoy March's visit, shall we?

Dear March - Come in - 
How glad I am -
I hoped for you before -
Put down your Hat - 
You must have walked -
How out of Breath you are - 
Dear March, how are you, and the Rest -
Did you leave Nature well - 
Oh March, Come right upstairs with me -
I have so much to tell -

I got your Letter, and the Birds - 
The Maples never knew that you were coming -
I declare - how Red their Faces grew -         
But March, forgive me - 
And all those Hills you left for me to Hue - 
There was no Purple suitable - 
You took it all with you -         
  
Who knocks? That April -
Lock the Door -
I will not be pursued -


He stayed away a Year to call 
When I am occupied -         
But trifles look so trivial 
As soon as you have come
 
That blame is just as dear as Praise 
And Praise as mere as Blame -