BRING IT ON!

ALTHOUGH T.S. Eliot said that "April is the cruelest month", personally I can't wait! I hate bad weather (and it is still lousy here). I only like sunshine: spring and summer! I also love the summer time scheme: how I envy the US for reverting to summer time two weeks earlier than Europe! There is a proposal to have summer time all year, and DOUBLE summer time in actual summer. Bring it on!

Despite the bad weather, here is the almond tree already in full bloom. This means that spring is near. (I am also starting the iced coffees. This also means that spring is near).

In Greek and Cypriot folklore, the blossoming almond tree is a harbinger of spring. You can see a lovely specimen in the pic, against the bright blue sky! 

Of course, the Greeks had a myth about the almond tree, associating it with Phyllis, a king's daughter who hanged herself when her husband left her. The first almond tree grew over her grave!

In Greek lore the almond tree is not only a symbol of the young bride but also of a young orphan girl who froze to death.

So, antithetical meanings. White is both the color of brides and the color of cold and death. Choose your pick! Whatever the symbolism of the tree is, and whatever the bad weather, one thing is certain: spring is near!

xxx