rain, lots

Yesterday I came home from work and checked the rain gauge after 24 hours. Four inches. Four inches. Really. Four!

I can't quite believe it. It certainly didn't look wetter than usual (for lately values of usual) during the day. The creeks weren't any higher, and the flash flood warnings no more exciting.

Not again, please?

greening

Here come the leaves.

Farther left.

And farther.

lily-of-the-valley

These finally came up. They show up later every year since I moved them from the old place, and fewer.

I planted a row as long as the hostas. They don't seem to like where they are.

But there may be a bud under there.

more woods floor

A swash of mayapples with a little phlox.

Then the sun came out.

Phlox with highlights.

random flowering trees

A late redbud using a cedar for background.

Some dogwoods lurking deep in the woods.

Pretending to be part of a larger tree.

hostas

I get so excited when the hostas unfurl themselves every year. They are so reliable. It's a welcoming kind of excitement, not the "Thank goodness they made it!" kind.

Green growing things, hurray!

dogwoods opening

At first, they still look green.

Or maybe grey-green.

Then they open more.

And more.

Until the flowers are completely white.

And the leaves begin to unfold.