Chaste Snowdrop; Welcome as a Friend

I like to read some of my favorite blogs before I begin the daily chores. Lately, when I head over to Blotanical, I find a plethora of spring blooms: There are crocuses at Holley Garden and at The Garden Roof Coop. Hellebores are a delight in Carolyn's Shade Garden; and Bloomingwriter is dreaming of daffodils. Muscari Musings displays a planter of pretty primroses and other spring blooms. Always Growing gives center stage to a stunning daffodil. There were daffodils at Green and Serene last week and fuschia 'ballerinas' in a pot there, now. Thanks For Today brought forsythia inside to bloom and expresses what we are all feeling, "Winter I am so over you."

I peered anxiously through the window to see if I could spot anything blooming in the areas where the snow had melted. I saw something green and white in the shade garden under the old cedar tree. Although it was very cold, I had to go out to investigate. I am so glad I did, because at last there is something worthwhile to photograph ...

Exploring further I found hellebore buds ...

Most of my gardens are still under snow and ice, but I searched and found daffodil shoots ....

... and some of my sweet crocuses are making an appearance.

Only a gardener can understand my excitement at these discoveries. The deer I spotted inside the entrance to the Woodland Walk was not impressed. Can you see her lying on a carpet of pine needles to the right of the arbor?

Back indoors, I watered the miniature daffodils I had planted in a teapot. H.H. bought them for me last week, and I so enjoyed transplanting them out of their little plastic pot. Having potting soil under my finger nails again was such a joy.

There are still lots of buds to open on this sunshiny plant ...

The title of this posting is taken from William Wordsworth's poem To A Snowdrop written in 1819. I love it, but the last line gives pause for thought. This winter wasn't 'fleeting' though, was it?

LONE Flower, hemmed in with snows and white as they  
But hardier far, once more I see thee bend
 Thy forehead, as if fearful to offend,
 Like an unbidden guest. Though day by day,
 Storms, sallying from the mountain-tops, waylay  
The rising sun, and on the plains descend;  
Yet art thou welcome, welcome as a friend  
Whose zeal outruns his promise! Blue-eyed May  
Shall soon behold this border thickly set  
With bright jonquils, their odours lavishing
On the soft west-wind and his frolic peers;
 Nor will I then thy modest grace forget,  
Chaste Snowdrop, venturous harbinger of Spring,
 And pensive monitor of fleeting years!  