Spring in San Francisco

Because I am tired of snow in my backyard, in the barnyard, and blowing into the barn... Because I long for spring in the worst way... Because I had a free airfare voucher that needed to be used up by 3/16... Because I had not seen my best friend from high school in way, too long... I am spending some time in San Francisco (well actually San Carlos, just south of San Fran) this week working and visiting my friend Lowell. Yesterday I stood outside his house in the 58 degree sunshine with just a t-shirt. It felt like heaven. (Ok, so I also had pants on). There is green grass here. And birdsong. And... and... I almost can't believe it, there are FLOWERS! This one was on a tree! An entire tree full of flowers like this! Lowell says it is a Camellia tree. I have never seen the likes of it before. He also says the tulip trees are blooming now also. I can't wait to see what they look like. Even the fresh green foliage of a potted houseplant on the front step delighted me. But my favorite part of their front porch was a visitor called Pippi. She has adopted Lowell's porch as her second home. She seemed as delighted by the sunshine as I was. Even if it rains all week, which it is supposed to do, I will be as happy as a duck in a puddle. An unfrozen puddle. Happy Spring!