The Forerunning of Spring

The violets are blooming!
Now, despite the fact that there are forty days of winter left(meaning that we are a little more than half-way through the season), I can believe that spring is, indeed, on it's way.
The violets are my favorite flowers. Modest flowers, many call them, and indeed "modest as a violet" is a well-known cliche. Their sweet smell recalls many a spring to my mind, and makes me think of spicy woodlands or fresh brooks that tumble down the sides of hills.
While they make excellent decorations for any room in delicate vases, I think I am most content to watch them exactly where they belong - in the ground. Let them bloom where they are planted, I say.

God bless you, and bring you a merry spring.