I had been looking for my clump of snowdrops for several months to no avail, and assumed they had somehow been killed or absconded by some stealthy varmint.  Today, however, on my way out for a quick MLK celebratory run, I spotted them in their usual place–and with flowers, too!  They were late coming up this year, but they grew very quickly!

It was a bit worrisome finding a mole hill right next to these precious bulbs, but I don’t see any harm that came of it.

I will work to add some more clumps around the orchard bed and in other areas in the years to come.

Leon and I have befriended the neighborhood crows, and in particular one that has a damaged beak.  We call her “Half Beak” and she comes when we caw to her and set food out to make sure she has something nutritious in lean times.  Her mate is ultimately patient, letting her eat what we set out while he forages on the lawn.  It isn’t easy for her to eat, but she is a survivor–we’ve been feeding her at least three years.

Some of the seedlings are coming up in the pots on heat in the window.  The larger seedlings appear to be Freesias, and the smaller ones all look like Gladiolus.

A happy accident occurred when Hirt’s gardens sent me a plant I hadn’t ordered.  The description for Bergenia ciliata (the plant I wanted) stated that it was an African violet relative.  I’m not sure why.  And when they pulled the order, they sent an African violet instead of the Bergenia!  I was disappointed at the time, so I threw the violet on a shelf and ignored it.  Hirt’s was awesome in giving me an instant refund for the Bergenia.  But now, I feel like I should pay them back.  The African violet has lovely double white flowers.  I’m not a huge fan of these plants, but this one is gorgeous: