Things are growing and blooming around here.

I love this big, ruffled-looking tulip.  So pretty.  

More tulips, with some pansies I sneaked in there so when the tulips are done, there'll still be something pretty to look at.  

In the foreground is tall phlox, although it isn't very tall yet; if you want something that's carefree and smells good and lasts most of the summer, this is the ticket.  Come and visit, and I'll see that you get a start of it.  My original start of tall phlox came from a now-deceased neighbor, Mrs. Perrine.   She didn't know the name of it; I saw some growing in someone else's yard and asked what it was.  I love having flowers that were originally given to me by friends.  All the iris in the yard at the old house came from my friend Dona, who is now in a rest home.  Did you know it's considered bad luck to thank someone for living plants they give you?  The old wive's tale says if you thank the person, the plants will die.  
Oh, behind the tall phlox are June-bearing strawberries; after this year, the strawberries are going to the garden.  There's no room for them to spread here between the sidewalk and the house.  

When you see dirt cracking and rising in the garden, you know there's something underneath pushing that clod up.  

I pushed the clod aside and saw potato plants emerging.  

This is a teeny, tiny cabbage plant I started from seed.  Something has been snacking on it, possibly an insect or a rabbit or the wandering guinea that spends more time over here than it does at home.  Let's hope Cliff doesn't catch her in my strawberry bed in June.