Believe it or not, the bearded iris is blooming

Yes, it is true. Early spring comes in February in our Mediterranean climate, but even here this is early for bearded iris. It's normally set to bloom around late March at the earliest with April being it's typical month. I suppose its sheltered spot with lots of morning and mid-day sun made this iris think it was later in the year. I'm not complaining. It's a wonderful spot of deep rich purple in a garden that's pretty devoid of blooms otherwise.

A squeasel-kat's* guide to stealing the perfect napping spot by Lucy Maud

*squeasel: a rare hybrid breed of animal that is a cross between a squirrel, a weasel and a meerkat. Sometimes mistaken for an oriental shorthair tabby but far more of a holy terror.

Enjoying the harvest of the first winter lettuce

I don't normally post on Sunday, but today Hubby harvested the first of the winter lettuce for our late lunch, and I had to share a photo. He's making a salad and grilled cheese sandwich for me as I type this.

Yeah, my husband is pretty awesome.

A sick kitty takes precedence over photographing camellias

Outside the windows of the north side of the house, the camellias are blooming right on time like they do every February. And despite they're glorious display, I can't get out to photograph them right now.

I've been tending to our sweet kitty Lydia after a complex surgery last week to remove a large and aggressive tumor we found quite suddenly on her abdomen. Fortunately, we have a trusted and very talented veterinarian. We found the tumor, got her in to see him the following day and he scheduled surgery to get it out and, in his words, "in a jar where it belongs".

Lydia has been the ideal little patient as I've kept her isolated in a warm and cozy recuperating space I arranged for her in my studio. She heals while I work. And she's enjoying the one-on-one time with me immensely even though having to wear the "cone of shame" is not something she enjoys at all.

For now the camellias outside have to wait (hence the repost of the image above). I'm hoping the camellias will still be blooming when we finally get clearance from the vet that Lydia can resume more normal activity. That may be later today. We'll see.

Update: Lydia got clearance from the vet to begin resuming more normal activity and exploring more of the house than just my studio. She doesn't have to wear the cone-collar anymore unless she starts biting her incision site. So I'll still be watching her like a hawk.

Hello February, hello narcissus

Digitally painted photograph "Hello February"

At the base of the olive tree

the narcissus bloom

sunshine yellow

amidst the drabness of winter.

Sit still and quiet

breath in

and smell their heady fragrance

wafting on the breeze