longer days

Spring Reflections; casein tempera on panel; 10" x 8"

The days are getting longer.  It's an imperceptible nuance but it's the knowledge of the thing that does wonders.  It also helps, in these dark days of winter, to bring a little bit of greenery inside.  Gardeners call it forcing - as is forced bulbs.  But that term seems a bit harsh.  After all, you can't force a bulb, or any living thing, to do something outside its norm.  What you can do is offer it conditions it likes - warmth and sunshine after a cold spell. 

Lily of the Valley can be dug up this time of year (allowing that the ground is pliable enough) and taken inside where the pips will grow and put out their fragrant blooms ahead of schedule.  Forsythia is another good plant for restoring winter sanity.  Cut a branch and keep it in a vase with water and, after a week or two, it will reward you with its sunny display.  And for an economical jolt of green - grow a pot of grass (the turf kind.)  Most of us home owners have a partial bag of grass seed in the garage - especially if you have a dog.  It's a simple fix - but oh so lovely.