It’s the first day of spring! What could be better - puffy white clouds and a beautiful sunny day greeted me as I stepped outside for my walk. Today I decided to venture up towards the mountain on the Quail Trail, a new one for me. I love the fact that I have been walking most days since we moved in and I am still finding new trails. The master plan for the area shows an eventual 120+ miles of trails that will lead all the way up to Jerome from here in Clarkdale. I found some more little “starts” along the trail that I brought back for my own garden. Some beautiful vivid yellow euphorbia that were covered in bees and a few native penstemon that will have bright purple red blossoms. I placed them in the baggie with a wet paper towel that I carry with me - just in case - and planted them in small pots when I got back home. Once they have a chance to root up I will plant them out with the cactus in the front as they are both dry soil lovers. Special treat, lilacs were blooming in the back yard today.

Spring used to mean an extremely hectic time of year for us. While I greatly miss the camaraderie of the women that worked with me at the nursery, I would not be honest if I did not admit that I am enjoying just being in my own little garden every day. I harvested lettuce last night for dinner and my herbs are growing fabulously. We’re very fortunate that the people we bought the house from seem to have loved gardening also. There is a wide range of trees including a few extremely mature pine trees that we get to hear whistling in the wind. I close my eyes real tight and sit very still, I can almost imagine I’m in Tahoe. Well almost. The fruit trees have already blossomed and we’re not sure what they’re going to be yet but they are definitely in the peach or nectarine family judging from the flower color. There are three extremely large mulberries that have just started leafing out this week. Of course, the cactus garden in the front and side yard is still fascinating to me as I try and learn new Latin names and characteristics of the plants. The flowering shrubs seem to have been planted with the birds and pollinators in mind, the Furman's Red Texas salvia is already covered in little red flowers and the honeysuckle fills an entire area off the front patio. The hummingbirds are arriving in force right now. It seems as though every time I look out the window at the feeders I see one or two fluttering for their spot. The little finches have found the bird-feeders, and doves and wrens are picking up the seed off the ground that drops. They all seem to be helping each other to make sure that everyone gets a seat at the table.

My first container that I planted for the front was torn apart by what we think we’re javelina one evening last week. The prints in the wet ground were certainly not deer. When I was at the local nursery a couple weeks ago I saw signs that said “Possibly javelina resistant”. To think I actually laughed at the sign. Another new thing to learn, local wildlife and their habits. For now, I guess all my plants will be in the back inside the fence. Luckily they don’t appear to like to nibble on the cactus.

The first day of spring always brings a sense of renewal for me, and as I look forward to many hikes in the weeks to come, it is exciting to know there will be new surprises along the way.