Not in season…
For those who are newly visiting since the first of the year, you will probably be surprised by my choice of a theme. It is of course, completely out of season, but I chose it for two reasons.
First of all, I know that those who are living in the Northern climes are heartily sick of cold, snow and ice right now. This winter has been very bad for them, and some areas have had snow and ice for the very first time ever. So, I thought perhaps seeing a lovely image of spring flowers might cheer them and take their minds off the dreary days of winter.
My second reason? Before moving to Florida, as the weather warmed I would go outside each day and check every flower bed in my yard looking for signs that the crocus, daffodils and tulips would soon poke their lovely heads above ground. I thrilled to see each and every bloom, and I miss that wonderful change of seasons. Here in Southwest Florida I can grow exotic things like gardenias and pineapples, but having a year-round growing season tends to take some of the shine off of gardening, especially since it also means year-round weeding…lol. So I thought, if I change my theme to lovely daffodils, I can still enjoy those blooms, without having to put up with ice, snow and blustery winds…and so I did. 
One of these days, time permitting (hah! good one!), I may actually learn to put together my own theme and then I can use whatever photos/paintings I want. Meanwhile, I’m kind of stuck with what others provide…but, having said that, understand that I think these free themes are wonderful and generous gifts and many of them are truly professional quality. I had a fabulous one for Xmas, but of course, that would look a bit odd in February.
I understand that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow yesterday, which supposedly means 6 more weeks of winter, however, I also understand that he only gets it right 39% of the time…lol. I never did understand this custom. The official first day of spring is on the occasion of the Vernal Equinox. The Vernal Equinox always falls in March, usually around 3/20 or 3/21 (3/20 in 2009). The period of time between February 2 and March 20 is approximately six weeks. So why do people insist on pulling that poor groundhog out of its burrow?
Animal cruelty is it not? LOL….poor Phil.
I painted in the little coloring page of Phil. You may get your own image to color www.groundhog.org
Punxsutawney Phil
I loved the iris, but I love daffodils just as much — and they do make their showing earlier in the spring… just after the crocuses. So while purple is my favorite color, yellow is a close second (along with the rest of the rainbow).
As to our good friend the GroundHog, we have winter until well into the track season… every year, come high winds and late-falling snows.
I remember — because my husband coached track before the all-weather tracks, before computers to keep the tallies. Wes got up at 4:00 a.m. often to drill holes in the track for the melting ice and rains to drain so the kids could run — and I wore a winter coat and gloves, took my typewriter, and sat freezing while keeping tallies of winners and placers in all the events.
Then our kids ran track. Ha! Still wore my winter stuff…
Spring and warm air hinted around the first of May. So say what you will about shadows. It’s all just a cute game here… It’s still winter, even with the annual two days of balmy temps in the 60’s.