Yesterday’s sunshine coaxed the forsythia to open, and their unguarded optimism brightens our front porch. Leaving for Northport this morning (and with no cars behind me on the road), I slowed down just shy of the Happy Hour, where, sure enough, the first marsh marigolds had also opened at last. I say “at last,” because it seems I’ve been waiting weeks for them, but are they really late? A little frog jumped before I could capture it on camera, too. 
Big doings on Waukazoo Street: preparation for the pouring of cement at the new BBQ spot. The name of this business will be revealed to all when the sign goes up!
Next door, in the vast recesses of the old Ford dealership building that now houses Dog Ears Books, Funky Mama’s consignment shop and the Painted Horse Gallery, Bruce and I put in three solid hours purging the book storage area. It was tiring but satisfying labor. I rewarded myself for my work and Sarah for her patience with a late afternoon walk in the woods. Shy, lovely bellwort, my favorite! These two trillium blooms, David said when I showed him the image, look like two nuns in white.
Many more blooms have yet to open, including those on the cherry trees. It won’t be long now, though. They look fit to burst already.
4 comments:
Great cowslips! OK, marsh marigolds. Wish the frog had stayed.
I saw loads of marsh marigolds 3 days ago on that gravel road just off Lee Mann. Also: WHAT book storage area? Were there actual books there that are now out in your shop or....what?
I like the name cowslips, too, Gerry. I also like the other names for trout lily: adder's tongue and dogtooth violet (though the latter is misleading, isn't it?).
Book storage is every bookseller's bête noire. There is never enough space in the shop, but if you have too much storage space, that works against you, too. Along with valuable duplicates, ll the tag ends wind up there--books people have brought in for trade credit that are too musty or falling apart or "well, maybe" when you decide to hang onto them but become "no way" as you try to keep your shop attractive.
One of the things I learned from dear Prudy Mead is that getting your hands dirty when unpacking books is not limited to unpacking used books. Another thing I learned from her is that carrying too much inventory does not help the bottom line.
P.S. to Gerry: Not only did the frog escape my camera's eye but also the fox farther down the road. Trees and flowers seem to be more my speed.
P.S. to Anonymous: I am not one of those booksellers (if any there be) who hide the "good stuff" out back. Bruce and I purged box after box, but all the good stuff is out in the shop for your browsing and buying pleasure!
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