Spring Flowers (?)

Ah, it's always fun in the spring time in Cedar City! Flowers abound. Of course, some of them start out looking like some sort of alien growth in my yard. Yikes!



That's really the beginnings of rhubarb in the back yard. Those same few plants you gave me oh-so-many-years-ago, Robert. They just keep coming back. They don't spread or get obnoxious at all, just the same three plants. It freezes well (harvested Rhubarb). I made cobbler from last years' crop just yesterday and we enjoyed it for our Sunday dinner dessert.


And I happened to notice this when I went out to get the paper one very frosty morning. Cute little yellow things. It's the only one that survived from last year. It gives one hope, doesn't it?




Here are some fun shots of kids flying kites in Sunny Southern California. Alexa and cousin Olivia had it down--they were flying and driving at the same time. It is so much fun in their cul-de-sac. And that's just OUR crew--no neighbors. This was Sunday afternoon, the 22nd of March.






A little out of order, but this was the major reason for Mike taking us all to California--to meet up with his brother, Jack, and nephew, Cory. We all met and had dinner together on Saturday night. Jack is at the far end of the table, Cory at the front right.


Then, after we came home from California, Tandy and Kids came, too! Damian is still at a training camp in the desert for another week or two, and since it was spring break for Alexa, they wanted to come to Cedar City and spend time HERE. Well, here and Kanarraville. So they did. I rode with Tandy home to So Utah on Sunday night and we dropped into bed at 3 a.m. YAWN! And then her poor kids ended up being sick most of the week they were here! Poor kids. Poor MOMMY! It was vomiting and diarrhea. But, BEFORE they got sick, Gail and Caroline came from Richfield on Monday and they played and played and played and played! Then they played some more. Here is one rather funny thing they found to do on an evening at Grandma Linda's house. What a patient Grandpa, Uncle Eric and Mommy/Aunt Tandy they have!

The Yurt

The day was so sunny,
The day was so cold.
The day, just last [Presidents' Day] Weekend
This tale did unfold.

We drove up the canyon
On the steep, snowy road
To Cedar Breaks Monument vista,
And from the car we did unload.

We strapped on our snowshoes
Amidst the dazzling, white fluff,
And commenced our short journey
That would make our thighs buff.

We crunched under blue skies
With our flat, holey shoes,
And searched for the Yurt
To rest, and maybe snooze.

The landscape, like diamonds,
More beautiful than a rose
Made our eyes squinty
And we looked like Eskimos.

As the time ticked on by,
My sartorii screaming,
I glimpsed a lovely sight--
A tent chimney steaming!

The ranger at the Yurt
Opened the door in greeting,
Pointed to the stove
Where hot cocoa was steaming.

***************

Thanks to Eric for that much of the poem, Seussical-style. We ran out of steam, so that's all there is. Feel free to contribute your own lines ;-).
Hope you enjoy the photos! We enjoyed our trip. The Yurt is the Winter Ranger Station at Cedar Breaks National Monument. http://www.nps.gov/cebr/yurt.htm
It was my first trek in there for me, but I don't think it will be my last. It was fun. Robert, Sarah and Amanda came with me, so it was just the four of us. And I LOVE icicles on snowy trees! I took way more pictures than what are posted.