The Call Came Late Last Night

The automated message spoke the words that thrill children of all ages, "Due to weather conditions, all schools are closed."   Snow Day, Snow Day, SNOW DAY!  Chunky rain had been falling but it didn't turn to snow until evening and didn't start sticking to roads until later.  Of course I had to go out before dawn to see the white stuff.  Unlike Portland, we've not had more than a dusting this winter.

Because snow is an unusual occurrence here, we tend to enjoy it, especially if we don't have to be driving in it.

My favorite window in the house next to mine was made by my stained glass guru, Florence almost twenty years ago.  I still remember drooling over this panel in the window of the shop before it was installed.  Lucky for me, I get to see it from my garden.  Not snow-related but ain't it purty?

You may remember this view from autumn.

A bit different now.

The thrill of having a day off is tempered by the knowledge that an extra day will be added to the end of the school year.

The wet snow was very heavy but melted off of most of  the larger foliage by the end of the day. Plants mostly sprung right back up.

It's supposed to snow a bit more Monday night and then get clear and colder (down to 29 degrees.) With all of the wet roads, more snow and freezing temperatures... A phone call interrupted this thought.  Late start Tuesday.  Of course that may change.

The unexpected gift of free time is a delight but would be even nicer in June when playing with outdoor plants is an option.   Agave ovatifolia and very happy Yucca 'Bright Star.' Now that the yucca has grown past adolescence, it no longer suffers with yuccacne.  Funny, the one planted on the other side of the agave sort of petered out.

Chimonanthus praecox

Lonicera fragrantissima.

Why did that damned groundhog see his shadow this year?   Oh well, the Northwest Flower and Garden Show is only a little more than two weeks away.  The theme this year is "A Taste of Spring" and I'm definitely for a  big bite of that!