JUST HOW BAD WAS IT ?

View from the Backyard

You know its been a bad winter when the Chicago Tribune editorializes about it. They even have a sense of humor : " Come on, admit it, you wore a winter hat instead of an easter bonnet. "

Quoting from yesterday's Trib editorial 'Winter Always Wins ' : " This then, is spring, with blobs of snow mixed in with rain, high winds, slop on the streets and birds still trying to find chimney edges to sit on to stay warm. It's not fair, but like we said, Winter Always Wins-or at least for as long as it wishes. "

Last year on this day it was 80 degrees. Today we will struggle to reach 50. Thus far, the coldest April in 137 years. You betcha winter always wins.

We hardly ever experience a distinction between winter and summer. One day it will suddenly be summer and our memories of this terrible winter will fade like snow in July.

Nature's Air Freshener

My daughter Cathy, a floral designer, made the above arrangement for me as an Easter gift. I had forgotten how fragrant hyacinths were. My entire first floor is filled with their sweet smell that freshens the air with its scent.

After last week's freeze, the sight and smell of this Easter arrangement cheered me up. There's nothing like flowers to make you feel better. Thanks Cathy, you know what I love.

Chicago Survivors

Looking down into my Goldfish pond

My garden pets are the most amazing creatures and true Chicago survivors. The de-icer went out in my fish pond when we had the first hard freeze in March . The pond almost froze solid, but once the warm-up came and the ice melted, my little pets were all okay. Thank you Jesus ! I also believe that digging it to a depth of three or more feet certainly helped.

That's "lipstick" , the Queen, at the very top, and underneath her is Tangerine and her twin, Mandarin . The speckled one is "Freckles. " Notice the sky at the bottom of the photo.

THE MOUSE AND TROWEL AWARDS-VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE GARDEN BLOG

P.S. to today's post. Vote for your favorite garden blog at Inthegardenoline ( link on the left ). I voted for fellow Chicago blogger Mrbrownthumb ( link also on the left) for his fabulous photography and Chicago Tribune garden writer Beth Botts.

I urge all of you to vote.

SPRING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

The First Daffodils

The First Pansies

The First Forsythia

The First Crocus

APRIL , THE CRUELIST MONTH

From T.S. Eliot : " April is the cruelest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land, mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain. Winter kept us warm, covering earth in forgetful snow, feeding a little life with dried tubers. "

Yes, T.S., 'tis true. The little darlings roots had stirred and started to bloom, when cruel April killed them with her bitter cold. I could hardly bare to look at my budding Magnolia whose pinkish purple buds were plump with life. Her beautiful blooms will be sorely missed. My sweet Asian pear tree will not give me her juicy fruits this Fall. Forsythia is frozen in her yellow dress and dead before her time. The small tulips had opened their yawning throats but now bow down in defeat, their limbs frozen . Alas, the lilacs will not favor us with their fragrant breath.

Oh, April, you have devastated us here in the City in a Garden and have taught us a bitter lesson. Nothing is safe from your wrath until late May or early June. We were so happy and carefree in sunny March and rushed out to enjoy its warmth, but you stopped us in our tracks.

Although we will not soon forget you, we are not defeated. You shall be conquered by the sunny days of May . Soon you will be nothing but a bad memory. Keep that in mind for next year when you return. Try to be kinder and gentler. We know you can.