Temperatures in the 50s, sun shining brightly, air as crisp and clean as newly laundered sheets – who could resist working in the garden on such a day? However four years of drought have stressed many of our plants, some to the point where they will not make it. Others were sacrificed to make way for a new drip system, which will save water but turned parts of the backyard into Mudville, only without the baseball team.
But the noble daffodil, the national flower of Wales and symbol of cancer charities, hid deep beneath the chaos and when all was done, forged through the mud.
Seeing these green stalks rising from devastation, made my heart dance with joy.
To quote William Wordsworth:
I wandered lonely as a cloudThat floats on high o’er vales and hills,When all at once I saw a crowd,A host, of golden daffodils;Beside the lake, beneath the trees,Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.Continuous as the stars that shineAnd twinkle on the milky way,They stretched in never-ending lineAlong the margin of a bay:Ten thousand saw I at a glance,Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.The waves beside them danced; but theyOut-did the sparkling waves in glee:A poet could not but be gay,In such a jocund company:I gazed—and gazed—but little thoughtWhat wealth the show to me had brought:For oft, when on my couch I lieIn vacant or in pensive mood,They flash upon that inward eyeWhich is the bliss of solitude;And then my heart with pleasure fills,And dances with the daffodils.
Another survivor – the humble ornamental strawberry.
And so, I’m happy to report there is joy in Mudville tonight! Mighty Casey has indeed hit a homer.
Now to keep those pesky weeds and “volunteers” from taking over!
Saying Nothing in Particular 
What a breath of fresh air, anticipation and hope. Thanks to you, Jan, (and thanks to Mr. Wordsworth).
Thanks KC Gal!
I love this!
Thanks Mary Alice!
Puts me in the mood for springtime, Jan. However, I’m dreading the weeds as they are already raising their ugly heads.
Yup – they sure are! Unfortunately winter will probably come back!
Just a lull. And we still need the rain—but without the weeds. 😀
As you may imagine I am somewhat connected to this iconic Welsh symbol. :)))
And is a wonderful flower to have as a symbol!
He knew a thing or two about verse that Willy. Good to see life renewing
It’s one of my favorite poems to read when I’m feeling down!
Absolutely a corker..
Wonderful to see the National flower of Wales coming through, despite all the lack of rain you’ve had. They certainly brighten up the day and I love the way they dance in the Winter wind.
I do too! They plant thousands of them in the town square and the sight when they’re all in bloom is dazzling – I’ll take a snappy!
We’re still a month away from the first crocus to forge their way through the dirt. The bane of my garden is ‘creeping charlie’. That stuff is so hard to get rid of.
We have a creeping something in our yard as well – currently I’m losing the battle with it. ; ( Winter is planning to come back – we’re just getting a few days respite.
Does it look like this?
It amazes me that despite the drought, the weeds continue to thrive!
They sure are!
Oh I envy your “spring” garden. Here in Canada we are enjoying a mild winter…not mild enough for shoots though. We’ve still got a few months to go.
Oh, it’s not spring yet – once the sun goes down it is cold and the rains are due back later this week. We don’t often get snow but when we do, it doesn’t seem to bother the daffodils! They’ll peak their heads up through the snow. Thanks for stopping by!
This perked me up as I stare out the window at a foot of snow still on the ground!
Sorry to hear Ellie! Stay warm!
What a wonderful springy post, Jan. I enjoyed hearing about the strength of the daffodils, and the poem was an added plus.
Thanks Jet — I was just out weeding. Nice in the sun but cold in the shade!
Although our temperatures have been well above normal, I think we’re still a long way from seeing any plants attempt a come-back. The first green sprouts of spring are always such a happy sight!!
They are!
Wordsworth’s poem always makes me so happy 🙂 I haven’t planted daffodils in quite a while, but I do have some tulips in an old wheelbarrow sitting in my garage. They’ve just started to poke above the dirt and will shoot right up as soon as I move the to the backyard in March.
I’d love to see a picture of those tulips as they rise!
Thanks for this cheery post, Jan! Here in New England, it’s been warm enough to worry me a lot. And the kids’ school just got another bomb threat–the second in a couple of weeks. So I needed something happy to read. Love the daffodils–they’re so brave and resilient.
Oh my gosh – how frightening! (the bomb threats) Enjoy the mild weather – I remember your reports from last year at this time!
Beautiful flower,beautiful poem, and you’ve put a spring in my heart!
As you have often in mine!
Here it comes! Spring. Yeah, yeah.
I guess that’s what the groundhog said!
Nothing like flowers to open your heart. I love flowers and Wordsworth. Thanks for sharing.
Me too. When I studied the romantics decades ago I don’t think I really appreciated them.