Happy birthday, Alice Walker

Alice Walker is is an American author, poet, and activist, perhaps best known for her 1982 novel, The Color Purple which was released as a movie in 1985.

I love the quote, so I am posting it here. I certainly agree that we should rejoice in the world we live in, appreciate it and take care of it. And the field of purple crocuses is spectacular.

Happy birthday, Alice!

Hope springs eternal

Going for a walk at the weekend, I spotted this coltsfoot plant growing virtually out of the tarmacked path. Such a tough, hardy plant!

 Does anybody know why ladybirds huddle together? I read that they do it for warmth ... but do they even give out warmth??
Either way, every winter, without fail, I see these little groups huddled together. Waiting for the spring sun, no doubt, which will warm them and allow them to leave the huddle and move on.

I was happy to spot this bumblebee. My first this spring!
It busied itself in a patch of crocuses, emerging dusted in pollen, only to move on to the next flower.

First Crocus

Today, on my lunch time walk I spotted - to my amazement - the first solitary crocus!
I pretty yellow one.
I didn't have a camera to hand, so this picture will have to do.

I found this poem, which I thought suited very well:

"First a howling blizzard woke us.
Then the rain came down to soak us,
And now before the eye can focus,
Crocus."

(Lila Rogers)