Hmm. Watch the Oscars or Go Sledding at Twin Peaks?

This is what’s happening in my neck of the woods:

  

Snow in San Francisco?  I suppose that is website- and Twitter-worthy.  After all, it hasn’t snowed here for 35 years – not since February 5, 1976 to be exact.  So while waiting to see just what happens when the unsettled cold air mass from the Gulf of Alaska arrives, a little helper and I went around my cottage to see what was blooming. 

Bailey, my little helper

The hellebores are always the first ones to delight.  Just when I start to get antsy about getting out in the garden I can count on these to brighten up the grey days - and these are super easy to care for.  

I only have two varieties but will probably add more to my garden since they are so easy – even in shady spots.  I like them best in hanging baskets, since their flowers tend to hang down and you can enjoy them better this way.

blurred photo taken by little helper while giggling
I just discovered clivias several years ago and planted quite a few.  They thrive in full shade and put on the prettiest show in early spring.

I love when these little pansies drop seeds during the summer and surprise me with new plants in the spring. 

Here are my favorites: wild violets.  They arrive before all of my annuals wake up, creating a bed of pretty color.  As everything else grows back around them all spring and summer, they gently fade away, dropping plenty of seed to ensure another show next year.

Hope you’ve enjoyed this little ‘walkabout’.  Wherever you are, it won’t be long until you see little signs of spring, too.  As I typed this last sentence, little beads of hail were falling through bright sunshine.  I’m looking forward to a weird and wonderful Oscar weekend - enjoy yours, too!

Marathon Training with Roger

You may have noticed that I haven’t blogged for a while.  Yep, you guessed it - again I’ve been stuck.  I learned from one of the best out there that it takes a good six months to find your voice as a new blogger. I suppose you have to write during that six months, not just wait for your half-year benchmark?   So write I will, especially since my sweet friend Amy from Verde Farm in West Virginia has given me the gentle nudge.  This is where the magic of blogging comes in – the amazing and supportive friends you meet along the way.  If you haven’t met Amy, read about her farm and country living journey here.   Thank you, my blog Angel.

This morning I took a beautiful hill walk in my Mill Valley neighborhood, Day 2 of my new fitness regime.  Without going into great detail about the length of time it’s been since my last workout, suffice it to say I’ll be ready for my next marathon right around the time I win the Pulitzer for my blog.  Yes, I’ve been stuck in this aspect of my life as well, but I go forward with great optimism!

With each step onward and upward, the endorphins started kicking in, and I realized as I continued on the hike signs of spring were everywhere – daffodils are blooming and fruit trees are blossoming!  As I became lost in thoughts of starting seeds for my spring garden, I came upon this:

Now I suppose I should tell you right off that I need glasses for distance and never wear them.  When I saw this up the road I was sure that this dog was in distress, stuck and struggling for his life.   The rock wall is almost six feet tall, and you can tell by the dog’s expression that he was near death, probably hanging there overnight.  He was weak and unable to bark or wiggle his way free….right? 

As I went for my cell phone to call for help, two lovely ladies rounded the bend and promptly called out, “Good Morning, Roger!”

It turns out that this Roger wasn’t stuck, hanging or near death. 

It turns out this Roger is vertically challenged and this is his perch.  And this dog spends his e-n-t-i-r-e day here greeting every passerby.  

The ladies tell me he is famous.  People are known to stop their cars here to say hello.

I discovered that Roger likes a good scratch.

Roger and I became fast friends and we made a deal.  I would come by each day and give him a head massage, and he …uh, hmm.  Actually he didn’t commit to anything.  But I think he’ll be looking for me, and I guess that’s a good way to keep me honest and on track.  Good Dog, Roger.