Cranes?

A flock heading north flew over at 12:45 p.m. today (February 25).  They sounded like cranes; close and loud and yet nearly invisible in the bright midday sky.

Croci!

While we have had some crocus up for at least a week and a half, between 10:15 a.m. this morning (Sunday, February 24) and 4 p.m. this afternoon, dozens of yellow crocus, several clumps of white and several purple reticulated iris opened. 
We admired the several clumps of yellow crocus and single purple iris open at 10:15 so we know the dozens more were really new. 
Spring for a while! 

Burning off the winter

The Groundhog Party 2019: A Summoning of Spring, was a huge success.  We had a new winner of pin the shadow on the groundhog, the groundhog apple pie in cheddar crust was as delicious as ever* (and there was enough food that I we had leftovers for breakfast), clouds wafted from the punch, and we twirled fire.

For the 26th year of groundhog parties (the first was in Boulder in 1994), a dear friend drove down from Kansas, we baked gorgeous pies, and we added witchiness to the celebration.  At first the witchiness felt a bit forced-- what can we do to end witch year with a party?  And then I started reading about pagan sabbats and investigating Imbolc and suddenly it all made so much sense because the Groundhog Party has always been a pagan celebration of the coming of spring.  This year we added extra flowers, made the pies extra sunny (traditional Imbolc foods are wheat and round and golden), lit candles throughout the house, and burned away the greens of winter (in this case adding some kerosene to a giant sedge I had brought home from work).  

It was a great party.  I don't think anyone resented that I made them make name tags and did formal introductions because it led to guests meeting other guests and actually talking.  People asked for pie recipes.  We started making plans for practice sessions with the fire torches so that more people will want to pull them out next year.  At church this morning, three weeks after the party, a man went out of his way to thank me for inviting him. 

I'm writing this to remind you (and myself of the future) that people are longing to celebrate.  It doesn't take a witch to bring people together for frivolity and good food, but the synergy can make magic. 

JMM with Shaker Blood Orange Pie

Welcome of witches, hedgehogs, and seasonal
guessing game

Shaker Lemon: J.M. Moody Photo

Flowers!

 *The Sausage Apple Pie and the Shaker Lemon and Shaker Blood Orange are all from Kate McDermott's The Art of the Pie.

(Not So) On The Ball

While I still have much to write about witches, I am pleased to announce that Ball Year has begun.

What will Ball Year bring?

-Gala dance parties?
-A renewed interest in juggling?
-International Sporting Events?
-Testicles (or at least testicle puns)?
-Flowers in spherical inflorescences?

Perhaps all of that, and more. 
Ideas, as always, accepted.

Daffodils!

There are daffodils open on the south side of my garage right now, Feb. 4.

Thanks to The Mister for alerting me.