First Bloom

As the days start to grow longer and the sun shines a little brighter, I'm on the lookout for the first bloom of the season. I am no master gardener, but I have inherited a green thumb from my mom and dad. I remember as a kid, my dad coming home from work and taking a stroll through the yard looking at the progress of his vegetable and flower gardens. My sister and I walked along the railroad ties that divided the different areas of the gardens and listened to our dad talk about his day. As an adult, I'm finding myself with the same habit of walking through my yard, looking for progress in my flower beds and finding peace in my mind.

I'm not a huge fan of winter, blah and brown or way too white, neither are favorite colors of mine. I love the yellow daffodils and the red and orange tulips. The purple crocus and grape hyacinths of early spring give me hope, a sense of renewal.

This year I plan to get my flower beds in order and start a vegetable garden. I think the girls are old enough to help plant the seeds and help harvest in the fall. I'd love nothing more than to pass on the green thumb my parents gave to me.