This is how we gain entry into the diehard club.

This is what separates us from those weekend gardeners.

This is when our significant others look at us strangely.

This is when we brave the cold, get on our hands and knees and look to the sky with appreciation when we see any sign of life.

This is when we get our mojo back.

This is when the game begins.

Who’s with me?

My wife loves the lilac. There’s a legendary pic of her with my newborn son at our old house standing in front of a blooming lilac. I killed at least three different lilacs once we moved to our current home. I don’t take the signs of new growth here lightly.

The Viburnum carlesii ‘Aurora’ is the first impact bloomer in my garden. It is the shrub I protect from the deer the most in winter. I’ve won again. Killer scent is right around the corner.

Lady’s Mantle has no equal on a mid-spring morning, post rain. I cherish and salute its return.

The first perennial I ever planted and the first perennial I ever greeted upon its return in spring.

The reward after wading through the dead foliage. I’ve grown to love the variegated iris.

Thalictrum ‘Black Stockings’ (Meadow rue) looked bad in late summer/fall. I feared it had reached the end. Nope. Fist pump. Amazing foliage on this one.

Filependula rubra (queen of the prairie) just peeking out of the soil. I’m banking on her to dominate this summer. I’ve massed it and it should have a big impact when in bloom.

Out with the old …

… in with the new.

I’m thinking these Baptisia seed capsules could be collected, put in a container and used to make a loud intimidating noise when the deer appear. Or I could just toss them. Hmm.

The mass ornamental grass cutting is under way.

The blooming daffodils will help screen these grasses before they explode in growth.

The nasty weather continues.

Five more inches of snow on Monday, followed by the melting of said snow and some additional rain to boot. Thou shalt not set foot in the garden and compact the soil even more.

Today we anticipate 50 mph winds for good measure. I had to snap the following pics in a very small window of time before all hell broke loose.

But who’s complaining. In the grand scheme of life, this means nothing. It’s the weather and we have no control over it. In due time our spring will be here and this will all be forgotten.

So while it still looks like November outside.

And it’s wetter than wet.

And pruning tasks have been put on hold.

And none of the ornamental grasses have been cut back.

And paths have yet to be cleared.

Bulbs continue to fight their way through debris.

Or feel like they’re imprisoned by old dead stems.

And the evergreens are still bothered by last years flowers.

There are still new signs of spring on a daily basis.

And the return of perennials where I had feared the worst.

Even bulb wars are keeping things interesting and weird.

And our enemies have returned for another year of the fight.

It is all good my friends.

It is all good.