The sky was cloud free as I left work. The sun was shining. I got home and sometime today the witch hazel by the front door started blooming. I adore flowering trees when there is still snow on the ground. It makes me less crazy about winter.

I checked the parrotia persica buds and although they are no longer as tightly closed as before they have yet to open. I'll post pictures as soon as flowers show. I've been waiting almost 10 years for the first real flush of blooms. Last year there were a few too high for me to actually see. This year there are hundreds of buds. Go tree!