This is Spring

The wind is driving in from the east. Fresh budding lace doily leaves on the Cut Leaf Birch flail and are pushed by the wind. The finches dart from inner branches to feeder and back. There's no sun. The rain pelts and stops and pelts and stops.

But all the protected corners of the garden grow steadily. The anemones and wood poppies; the trilliums; and finally, after four years, the chocolate vine!