Very busy writing. Two major projects.

I'm writing songs and one of them is a novelty tune about gardening. All this keeps me busy and offers a ready excuse on why I am not working on my gardening book.

Eddie, get busy. I have been waiting for that gardening book.

Just got another story accepted by GreenPrints Magazine. Don't know what issue it will appear in yet.

IronBelly

Congrats!

I'm digging...

I have fallen victim to the relentless winter that will not end here in the Midwest. While we're not getting any real accumulation, it seems to snow every other day which of course means that our weather continues to be colder than normal.

I went to London three weeks ago. Lots of people told me I would be quite pleased to see how far ahead spring is in London. It snowed. Really.

Monday I had one of those miserable, discouraging days at work where nothing seemed to go right. When I got home I thought I'd take a walk around the yard to look for signs of spring and new growth. By the end of my walk, I really felt different. Yep, instead of feeling depressed, now I felt downright suicidal. The combined effects of prolonged cold weather, a new puppy (okay, this was self-inflicted) and the hungry rabbits will mean a lot of replanting later this year.

So about now you're probably sorry you asked. I'll go back to being quiet now.

V.

I think you should get at least a story out of that!

I'm so depressed I am inquiring about poisonous plants. Top that.

Top it with boken apricot pits.

V.

Better write song about it. Quick! Before it's too late.

Okay, here's a start. Help me out, Eddie.

(Sung to the tune of "On Top of Old Smokey" or "On top of Spaghetti")

On top of the monkshood,
All covered in yew,
I lost my poor dolls-eye,
What eÂer will I do?

I tried belladonna,
With foxglove to stew,
But all that would happen
Was one giant spewÂ

V.

Writing has been taking place over the course of the last two months. Had one article published with the Heirloom Gardener Magazine and sent in two more. Finished one for Iowa Gardening and have one due for Iowa Horticulturist. But I would much rather spend my time outside dreaming and exploring. The reticulatas are a tad late this year mainly because it has been a dry winter. Thankfully though we are receiving precipitation. I am absolutely giddy about the miniature dwarf iris and can't wait for them to bloom.

Oh why can't spring just get here?
--Kelly D. Norris

I took out time to play in the garden today (some pruning, but mostly taking photos of flowers), but now the words are flowing and I'll be chained to my work computer (not this one) all night long.

Veronicastrum, I laughed all the way through your song - how creative. Ironbelly, I just got a rejection from Green Prints. KellyDee, thanks for getting us back on topic.