Submitted by Teresa Smith.

My first little iris is blooming. What a cheerful welcome this morning. I hear it is 30 degrees below zero back east. That was normal growing up in Quebec. 30 degrees below zero was not on the news back then. It was just January. Freezing one’s ears was a thing in Quebec. Painful. My ears are still sensitive to the cold.

Back to the Iris. What is it about a little flower popping open that brings such awe on a cold winter morning? I feel such gratitude for a hit of purple and yellow amongst the black loam. I bought some primroses at the store today. I said to the cashier. “It is so exciting to see flowers for sale again.” She said, “don’t get your hopes up.” “Winter is not over yet.”

My hopes are always up. Do I need to wait for spring to be hopeful? Do I need to wait for good weather for me to feel fulfilled? I sure hope not. It feels good to be here.

My house is cold when I get up. 49 degrees this morning. I put the kettle on and make a fire first thing. It is colder than 49 outside when I get the kindling from the porch. Especially with bare legs and slippers. I wish I would remember to bring the wood in the night before, but I never do. What bliss it is, once the fire is roaring, to sit in front of the woodstove with a cup of steaming tea. I sit for a few minutes, cat in my lap, then get on with my writing. This is my morning ritual. Tea, writing, sitting.

Things move faster after that. Feed the animals, get dressed and head for the studio. Then time with horses and a hike through the woods with my collie, Finnighan. I love many things. Painting and my studio. Three horses and a mule. Dog and little cat. There are friends and family who are dear to me. Writing stories and brainstorming about potential creative pursuits.

Walks in the woods and trees. Plants, both domestic and wild, medicinal and fragrant. Those that attract bees and butterflies and those that attract me. And of course, the ones that taste good and bring nourishment the year through. Enough about me. Back to the iris.

I pause as I gaze at this marvelous little flower. For a moment, nothing else matters. There is no to-do list. No time at all. There is just a little flower and me enjoying the sunshine.