Signs of Spring

This weekend is the first truly spring-like weekend that we've had in March.  That is timely, considering that the Spring Solstice occurred earlier this week.  In some ways, this temperate weather represents a return to February temperatures for us because some weeks in February were milder - certainly warmer - than March has been for us this year.  Until recently.

On Wednesday, one of the local florists sent flower-bearing representatives around to greet us (we are a comparatively tiny commune, after all) and left a blossom with each resident.

I have always loved the name of this local shop, Vertige, playing as the French term does both on "vertigo" and on the words "vert" (green) and "tige" (stem, sprout).  The shop is located in a 14th century building and is one of my favorite and most colorful spots in the little bourg.   Here is a link to a YouTube video that shows some of the happenings in and around the tiny shop.  The narrative is in French, but the actions are self-descriptive.  So, I was happy to place my blossom in a vase.

It's been opening gradually since Wednesday.  By this morning, it had opened gloriously.

And here's a close-up.  One blossom may not make a Spring, but it most certainly does lift one's spirits.

In another sign of Spring, the forsythia on my balcony is also beginning to bloom.  This was all the encouragement that I needed to unearth the cushions for my balcony settee, now that it is warm enough to sit comfortably outside.

This evening, I will set the clocks forward an hour as Europe officially changes to Daylight Saving Time.  For  the past couple weeks, friends and family in the US have been an hour closer - timewise - than is usual.  They set their clocks ahead two weeks ago.  That extra hour of closeness has not meant that any distance has been shortened, but it has still been a comforting thought.