Yesterday I began removing the winter mulch.  The iris had begun to show signs of growth.  By far the most welcome sight were the crocus. 

Yes, I am here and have been here all the time.   I was a little slow about posting and the longer the time became between posts, the easier it became to delay posting.  How is that for rationalizing?  The sad thing is that it is the truth. 

I took these pictures ten days ago.  The Dutch bulbs were just beginning to show in the garden and it looked like the snow might be making its farewell.  Unfortunately, I knew that new snow was on its way.  Winter just had to make one last hurrah.  Within a couple hours, everything in the pictures was recovered with snow.