It seems odd that allergy season would already be upon us, but with nearly a foot of snow on the ground, the alders have already begun blessing us with their pollen, causing half the population to think that they have a cold.  So give us just a few weeks, and the pines will join them, the molds will begin spreading their spores, then the choke cherries bloom. And when their lovely clusters of white blossoms drop, we who have allergies will begin breathing easier once again. 

Ahhh, Springtime! Bring it on!

http://www.newsminer.com/view/full_story/6601328/article-Iditarod-mushers-begin-race-to-Nome?instance=home_news_window_left_top_1

This hoya plant is 10 – 15 years old and has never bloomed before this time. I haven’t trimmed it for a long time; after a hot summer and more growth, it finally bloomed.