Puddles, Pots and Pottering

Where once there were vast snow drifts, almost Himalayan in their magnitude, puddles and grass are coming into view, and last autumn's fallen leaves may be seen again and everywhere. The clay pots which a neighbour left out in her garden in late November have emerged from their winter sleep, and they create a shaded tableau of sorts under her big spruce tree. Freelance florists in the village are contending with each other to see who can "do up" the best Spring displays in front of their shops — I enjoyed this display at Tivoli with its arrangements of twig furniture and urns, daffodils, narcissus, tulips and primroses.

On these fine cool mornings, we all seem to be out on our thresholds with our corn brooms and rakes, vigorously sweeping away the residue of winter, and we pause in our rites of spring to call greetings to each other up and down the street.