the primrose

The English Primrose can surely withstand Wisconsin winters, but you have to mulch it, and care for the roots since they detest hot summers or very cold winters, and watch the water saturation of the soil, and kick any early plant loving animal out of your yard when the first shoots emerge. In other words -- it's not an easy flower for me to grow here. Some people prefer to put a primrose into a container. In that typical trilogy of spiller-thriller-filler (where you often see in a pot a trailing flower, a tall showcase bloom, and a low growing dense filler), the primrose takes on that "filler" role. But personally, I prefer to see a primrose where it does so well -- in her natural habitat, wild, in the English countryside. (Or, carefully planted and tended in the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris!)

In the alternative, I'll snatch one from a shop in early spring and put it on my table, where it will perform nicely for a little while.

Such a pretty flower! As you may remember, it's also Ocean's name for my little grandgirl. She turns three today!

 

We are adhering to virus precautions and so I cannot zip down to Chicago to be there for her grand day, but I know the little one is in for a spirited time, extending her celebration from school on Friday through
the weekend with her Chicago family. She is happy and so I am happy!

 

It's a bright and cheerful day, full of that wonderful spring sunshine. And wind! We hear it all day long -- like the sound of a train speeding through the farmette lands...

Breakfast, in the kitchen. I'm exasperated with Dance, our on and off feral cat who these days chooses breakfast time as the moment when she absolutely has to be petted or else. There goes my quiet morning meal!

We work outside  -- a little in the yards, but mostly on the porch. Spring cleaning time!!

And of course, I break for Primrose.

Such a perceptive, playful and affectionate little girl! Big observant eyes, big heart. And a big voice, too -- she is my one enthusiastically singing grandchild! And today she is three. How awesome is that! (And yes, she loves to dance. Put on Coppelia and she's off!)

I can't believe it: three!

 

Evening. A sunny evening! The young family comes for dinner and for the hundredth time I smile to myself about the grandness of having daylight with us the whole time they are here.

(Predinner munchies: yeah, she's the family beet thief)

 

(He stays with cheese and crackers...)

The day ends, the sun sets. At 7:20! I remember all too well when it set at 4:25 in December. Short winter days call for patience. The reward? Days like this one. 

Happy birthday, little Primrose. Happy evening everyone else!

With love.