Spring Break--Two of Them!

Last week was Spring Break for one of the universities I teach for. This week is another. What have I been doing? Grading the back-log of papers and preparing lessons for the last 8 weeks of school. 
  

Just some of the types of papers I've been grading

One short lesson on how to do some stats in Excel

And I have taken a look at the spring flowers that are blooming...in between wind and dust storms that suddenly seem prevalent in our neck of the woods this year. 

I LOVE miniature irises! Next fall, I'll plant more!

I was so happy to see these blooming--‘Tete a Tete’ daffodils--another spring bulb favorite!

I miss ya'all!
Cathryn 

Spring is Here....Maybe

The other day it was warm. I mean WARM folks--day time temperature was 60 degrees! I walked around in the sun, wearing a t-shirt--that's how warm it was! Ok--the breezes still were a bit chilly and I had goosebumps every time one blew over me but it was still WARM! I found my first miniature daffodil blooming!

I love daffodils! They are so bright and happy and so damned cheerful! They bring sunshine into my spirit and this past week--I needed that. They make me happy! HAPPY! I guess you kind of figured that out, huh?

In the back yard, I checked out Quinn's Tulips and they seem to be multiplying. I walked around planning my summer garden. I know what I want to plant, but it was getting a feel of the land. I spotted one of our ferals, MC watching me. 

Then Friday came. I was eagerly planning my Spring Break while trying to finish up some grading and noticed this out the office window:

Please tell me that wasn't a snowflake. Maybe it was a pigeon feather...or two. 

 Please tell me those are pigeon feathers. Seriously, we seem to be supporting all the flocks in town. I know some of them live on the West Side--I've seen them parking their happy butts over there. But that white stuff on the ground isn't pigeon feathers--or any other kind of feathers are they? 


Then I remembered how the weather folk get it wrong some times. So I was hoping for another "We goofed" in the weather department. Instead, this time they were right on the money!

 I ask you--How are my daffodils and tulips supposed to compete with this kind of weather?!?!??! I think someone---probably some governmental official--forgot to tell Winter that his chance came and WENT! Winter has to learn how to share. It's Spring's turn. Of course if Winter is taking his lessons about sharing from our government, then he might just be getting the wrong idea--since our government officials never learned how to share either. Anyway---It's going to be Easter in two weeks.  Does Old Man Winter still plan on throwing one last temper tantrum before heading into his room for a good long while?That might be the example he got from our government officials, temper tantrums because they aren't getting what they want. I better not go there, otherwise you'll have me rallying up the people to SPANK our government officials. But like I said...I'm not going there. 

Just checked the weather forecast for this week. It's going to be a repeat--bright sunny days--which is what's needed to melt the latest snow dump--with SNOW again on Wednesday! ARGH! I can't win here!

Good News---Please check out the newest lanyard made for our lovely but regal Topaz by our friend, LanyardLady.  Cherin has created miracles from our cats for her lanyards! She's also a great blogger. I'm about addicted to her blog as I am to my morning coffee. Trust me--that's a good thing! She's also made one for Ava--capturing her wicked personality and combined it with Ava's love for flowers. 

 My camera is slow, but Topaz was giving the lanyard an eye blink of approval. D and I love what Cherin's talent is doing--immortalizing our cats. Thank you again, Cherin--this means more to us than you'll ever know!

I hope it's Spring and WARM wherever you are and that the sunny days spread sunshine on your shoulders and warm breezes to fill your souls. 

Harbingers

Whew! Between my classes and traveling to the different Bead Soup Parties, I'm feeling a bit worn out.The Party is full of very creative and very artistic talents and I've enjoyed my time with every one. My beading partner Elizabeth did a fanstastic job on the beads I sent her--I'm both humbled and in awe of her talent! I'm very much looking forward to the next party!

I know most of us are really getting tired of pictures like these:

 Snow falling and winter storms,

Freezing fogs and...

Ice...

But yesterday I saw this....

Daffodil shoots

 

Tulips!

Spring is on its way!