They say spring is coming...

But i ain't buying it. Spring here in the Netherlands is like winter in Mississippi anyway so there isn't too much to get excited about. I did however have a flash of optimism yesterday and planted a gooseberry bush in the hopes of a long beautiful summer. But, right now, it's just a stick in the cold cold ground. After planting it, i jumped up and down a couple of times at the loveliness of its 3 spring-green leaves and then quickly ran inside to warm up. On the way in, the half-rotten beam which is the only thing left of the back porch on this broken down house, gave way and i found myself dangling from the door frame. Nope, my first flirtation with spring wasn't exactly a jaunt through the blue bells. Ah, but one can dream (while having splinters pulled out of ones backside).

As far as winters go, I kind of liked this one because there was snow. Snow makes everything beautiful and slows people down. I love anything that slows folks down a bit. Snow also makes me think of mom. Every year she was just absolutely sure it was going to snow in Mississippi. It did too, the year after i left for Holland. I was 23. Things like that make me nutty. (Hi Mom, i inserted a photo especially for you. Notice the snow-woman... She has MOM on her chest and fabulous hair. Oh, and show dad the street scene. He'll like the sign. Click on it to ZOOM!)

So, here is to the stillness of winter, the freshness of Spring and a big damn bush full of Gooseberries!