Monday, February 11, 2008

Lets Think Spring!

On a cold February day, when freezing rain and sleet pelted us, on and off, what could be better than thinking of spring? Especially, since I noticed that my jonquils are poking out of the ground, not discouraged by the frigid weather, like me. It won't be long before they look like the ones in the picture I took of them in the past.

Jonquils bring joy to mind.

“Delight yourself in the Lord,
And he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37

It's pure joy seeing them open their dainty clusters of golden blossoms, after their green shoots had been above ground for some time. And when they're finally blooming, can spring be far behind?

When I see the jonquils, I’m immediately reminded of Wordsworth’s poem about daffodils:

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Those daffodils in Wordsworth’s poem, fluttering and dancing in the breeze are expressing joy! And although he called them daffodils, they were probably jonquils. Well, perhaps they were daffodils. But what's in a name?

Are jonquils daffodils? Or are daffodils a different flower? Well, both jonquils and daffodils are members of the Narcissus family. But the true jonquils (Narcissus jonquilla) have round, rush-like leaves and small, fragrant early blooming clusters of yellow blossoms. Daffodils, on the other hand, have large, normally yellow, single trumpet flowers. All jonquils are daffodils, but not all daffodils are jonquils!

Jonquils are the most fragrant of the Narcissus species. The cultivation of jonquils goes far back. Roman soldiers introduced the plant into England during the early years of the Christian era, while the Colonists introduced both the multiple-flowered jonquils and the single flowered daffodils to America. But Narcissus grows wild in southwestern Europe from Spain and Portugal up to France and Great Britain, over to Switzerland and Austria, and back down to Greece and Italy. And they are easy to grow. You just stick the bulbs in the ground, and they will come up in late winter, year after year after year. They seem to go on forever.

There is nothing more cheerful than the arrival of the early jonquils, growing like wildflowers, perfectly happy amidst the grass and weeds, or in the woods, bringing joy to the beholder who is lucky enough to see them dancing in the breeze! And if we think spring, we can see them dancing right now.

Jonquils inspire joy!

Ann (Ancient One) has a beautiful picture of some daffodils in her neighborhood that you might all enjoy seeing, to get into a joyful, spring mood.

56 comments:

Patty said...

I'm with you, I love to see the little flowers poking their heads through. We've even had some in the past poking through with a thin layer of snow. I also like all yellow flowers, they just look so bright and cheerful. We're suppose to be getting a snow storm tonight, I won't hold my breath, the weatherman has told us this in the past and it never arrived. At least it is a little warmer tonight than last evening, it's 17 right now.

No matter, stay warm and stay in if it snows and gets icy down your way.

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Patty,

My daughter and older son are having the same weather as you. They are in the Cleveland area. Frigid cold and a ton of snow in their forecast for tonight.

We are under a winter weather advisory here for more freezing rain. We had a small amount this morning, but might get more tonight. Then it warms up again by Wednesday. Our weather has been so changeable, going from one extreme to the other. I want spring!!! LOL.

Thanks for stopping by. Stay warm and hope you don't get too much more snow.

Blessings,

Renie

Deborah Wilson said...

Renie,

I'm just glad that I don't live in Minnesota right now - 40 below zero??

Speaking of Jonquils, Kristen and David was over this past weekend and we drove around Smyrna taking pics, we were hoping to see some sign of Jonquils but we didn't. Smyrna is another city in Cobb County, in the early spring it is virtually a Jonquil bed! Early settlers planted them when Smyrna was first settled.

You said,
[All jonquils are daffodils, but not all daffodils are jonquils!]

I enjoyed this post, I'll have to remember to look more closely at the Jonquils in Smyrna this year - even with my specs on, it's hard to see all the flowers from the road.

Nothing here is poking out of the cold ground yet - at least not in my yard - but I did notice yesterday that trees are beginning to bud.

In about 7 weeks, it will be warm again here.

Merle said...

Dear Renie ~~ Thanks for your comments and I am glad you enjoyed the good advice in my post as well as the jokes. I hope the severe storms forecast did not arrive to make you even colder. I love that Wordsworth poem "Daffodils" and there is
not a lot of difference between jonquils and daffodils. Take great care, my friend, Love, Merle.

Nonnas News said...

I am ready for some jonquils! I'm ready for some spring! I love each of the seasons, but spring and fall are my favorites! Hopefully it wont be too long! We are having thunderstorms here this morning, its raining cats and dogs right now! haha

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Deborah,

We have had tons of rain and thuderstorms all night, here. Dire warnings of freezinf rain and massive power outages kept coming over my weather radio, but it looks like we've had only rain all night, and it's still raining. I'm so thankful it wasn't ice!

I'm with you about being glad I don't live in Minnesota!

Yes, jonquils are actually daffodils, and are the earliest ones of the species to bloom. I have bunches of them here. And the other difference is, they are very fragrant, whereas the most daffodils are not.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. Have a great day!

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Dear Merle,

We had rain and thunderstorms all night, but other than that, not much colder, and no ice, which is the important thing.

I love Wordsworth's poem as well!

Thank you for stopping over, my friend. Have a wonderful day.

Love,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Nonna,

I always loved all the seasons as well, but as I get older, I fancy winter less and less!

Thank you for coming by. Have a great day!

Renie

Brandy said...

I have had spring fever for about a week now. I even braved the wind and cold on Saterday to have a cook out! I am not the brightest crayon in the box sometimes! LOL. I enjoyed your pretty flowers. Have a good day!

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Brandy,

We had a cookout Saturday as well, but it was 70 degrees, and a perfect day for a cookout, around here.

I'm glad you enjoyed the flowers. Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful day as well.

Hugs,

Renie

Jmkdreak said...

We have the little shoots coming up here to through the snow!
Spring will soon be here/there.
Be careful.

xoxox

Renie Burghardt said...

Hope you don't get the big snow forecast for today! But the little shoots will not be discouraged by the snow! Thanks for coming by, Sweetie.

xoxo

Karen H. said...

Good Morning Ms. Renie,
I'm late in visiting this morning. I had one of my bad headaches last night and I didn't get up till 6:10a.m. I am now eating a bowl of cereal and having my morning coffee. Would you like to have a cup with me? Those flowers are beautiful. I've always called them Easter Lillies. We are under a Winter Storm Warning here until 4:00p.m. this afternoon. I don't know why tho. It has been raining and thundering and lightening since last night. It is currently 34 degrees outside and still raining. I hope you are staying inside and staying warm. Did yall get much Ice or Snow yesterday? I seen on t.v. where alot of Schools were closed yesterday and today as well. I do hope you picked up those 3 Awards yesterday. If not, when you have time, come back by and pick them up. Take care my friend and have a great day. May God Bless You and Yours.

Love & Hugs,
Karen H.

Tina Coruth said...

Renie,

Thank you for this very informative and lovely break from the frigid, snowy, icy weather!I didn't know that jonquils and daffodils are not the same. After reading your post and looking at the beautiful photo - I can see that your jonquils and my daffodils are different! Yet, both are gorgeous harbingers of spring. Lately, I think of spring - a lot. It just can't come soon enough for me. Around here, the crocus pop up first. Sometimes, through the snow. LOL

Hugs,
Tina

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Karen,

Yes, I am having a cup of coffee! Yum, tastes so good after being outside, filling the bird feeders.

We did have a small amount of ice and sleet yesterday (Monday) morning, but not enough to cause any problems. We were suppossed to get a lot of ice overnight, but only got a lot of rain, thank the Lord! I did hear that up towards Poplar Bluff there is major ice, power lines down, and hazardous roads. The schools were closed around here yesterday as well, and I think they are today, but there is just a lot of puddles and wet roads out there.

Thank you for visiting. I always enjoy your visits. Have a wonderful day. Hope you don't get any sleet or ice today.

Take care and God bless!

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Tina,

Well, jonquils and daffodils belong to the same species, but are slightly different. Jonquils bloom a little earlier then daffodils, and they are very fragrant as well. Not much difference, but some.

This winter has been a bummer, around here! I am so tired of it, I had to give myself a pep talk, to get out of the dour mood. So I wrote the litte jonquil piece, or rewrote, I should say. LOL.

Thank you for coming by, my friend. Have a great day.

Hugs,

Renie

david santos said...

Hello, Done Rinie!
Excelent posting!
Happy Valentin Day.

Renie Burghardt said...

Hello David,

I hope "done" means good. :-) Thank you very much. Happy Valentine's Day to you as well!

Renie

Michele said...

Hi Renie,

I love jonquils and Spring is one of my favorite times of year! Fall is another. :-)

You've written such an informative, yet cheerful post!

Here's to Springtime!

Smiles,
Michele

Hope said...

Hi Renie,
Beautiful post. I have always called daffodils Easter lilies, I guess because they bloom in springtime and I thought jonquils were the same. Either way, when I see these flowers I know spring is near. Ours came up early last year, along with other spring blooms like lilacs and we had a bad freeze which killed everything.

I love the sound of the word daffodils and when I hear it I'm reminded of an old Doris Day song called "Secret Love":

Now I shout it from the highest hills
Even told the golden daffodils

At last my heart's an open door
And my secret love's no secret anymore.

Hugs,
Hope

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Michele,

I love spring and fall as well. I think most people do.

Thank you for the nice coimment on my spring cheer. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hope you're keeping warm and safe in this nasty weather.

Fondly,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Hope,

Jonquils are in the daffodil family, just a little different, as they are up earlier and are fragrant.

We had a late freeze here as well, last spring. Among other things, my pear tree was totally zapped and we didn't have any pears. Hope we get some this year!

I love that Doris Day song! Thank you for reminding me of it, now I will be humming it for the rest of the evening. :-)

Winter just seems soooo long this year. But I probably say that every winter.

Thank you for visiting. I love hearing from you. Have a great evening!

Renie

Karen H. said...

Good Morning Ms. Renie,
Burrrr, it is a very cold morning here. I have my coffee with me, so let's sit a spell and have some coffee and stay warm. We did get a little freezing rain yesterday afternoon. It didn't get too bad tho. You could see it sticking to some of the trees and on the vehicles. The roads were in good shape. But it sure did get cold. When I first got up it was 22 degrees. It is 19 degrees now. They are saying we may see some more Wintry precipitation this weekend. Take care my friend and have a great day. Stay inside and stay warm. May God Bless You and Yours. "THANK YOU" for the coffee. I do enjoy our coffee time together.

Love & Hugs,
Karen H.

Renie Burghardt said...

Good morning, Karen,

Brrr, it's 16 degrees here this morning! I'm getting ready to fill the bird feeders and dread going out there. However, the forecast is promising some sunshine for today and upper 30s. But yes, more frozen stuff is in the forecast for the weekend. Seems to be no end to it.

Coffee sure tastes good this morning, especially in good company! Thank you for coming by. Keep warm and well today. God bless you and yours!

Love and Hugs,

Renie

Mary said...

Renie,

This is a great post. I am glad that the spring flowers are poking up through the soil in your yard. That means that spring is definitely on the way, though it won't reach this part of the world for a while. I watch for the snowdrops. When they come up, the crocus follow close behind and spring is just around the corner.

Beautiful post. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts of spring and I love the daffodils poem.

Blessings,
Mary

Mississippi Songbird said...

What a beautiful post.. Thanks for sharing it..

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Mary,

I don't believe we have snowdrops around here, but am not sure. But the jonquils are a good sign that spring will be here soon. Of course, not this week, LOL, but soon.

Thank you for coming by, and for the nice comment. I hope things are warming up a bit in your corner of the planet.

Take care!

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Stephanie,

Thank you kindly for the visit and the very nice comment.

Blessings,

Renie

Galla Creek said...

Will not be long...and our spring will be here. Oh, happy day that will be.

Mountain Mama said...

Thank you so much for the lesson. I always thought that daffodil's and jonquil's were the same thing.I do love them and also the white Narcissus with the red and yellow stripe around the edge of the trumpet. They are so wonderfully fragrant!

audrey` said...

(((HUGS)))

Happy Valentine's Day, Renie =)

Unknown said...

I’ve been snowed/iced in for two days. I am very much looking forward to Spring!

Happy Valentine's Day, Renie!

Karen H. said...

Good Morning Ms. Renie,
"HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY" to you. It is another cold morning, but not quite as cold as yesterday morning. It is currently 26 degrees right now. It's suppose to get up to 50 degrees today. It only made it up to 33 degrees yesterday. Just wanted to let you know that when you had time, stop by. I have a couple of things for you on my today's post. I am waiting on my coffee to get ready so I can have my first cup. Nothing better than the first cup of coffee in the morning. They say we may have some Wintry precipitation here this weekend, but I think we will get mostly rain, AGAIN. LOL. Take care my friend and have a great day. May God Bless You and Yours.

Love & Hugs,
Karen H.

Merle said...

Hi again Renie ~~ Thanks for your comments and I am glad you liked the Bouquet from Margaret and also the jokes. I am glad the severe storm didn't happen or at least the ice part. It is getting dark here half an hour earlier than it was a while back so
our seasons are on the move. Soon there will be lots of johquils and daffodils etc. Take great care, my friend, Love, Merle.

2 LMZ FARMS said...

Just wanted to drop by for a quick vist and check in on you. The fire that destoryed the factory was righ here in my home town and my son lost his job. Please remember our town in your prayers. Thanks. Hope you and yours have a blessed Valentines Day.
Laura

Renie Burghardt said...

Sisters-Three,

I can't wait! Thank you for stopping by. Happy St. Valentine's Day!

Blessings,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Dear Mountain Mama,

I love all the spring flowers. They bring so much joy.

Thank you for stopping by.

Happy St. Valentine's Day, dear Bev!

Hugs,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Dear Audrey,

Thank you, my friend. Happy St. Valentine's Day to you as well!

Love and Hugs,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Thank you, Mr. Nick!

Hope you celebrate big time today!

Happy St. Valentine's Day and Happy Birthday!

Blessings,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Dear Merle,

Your blog is a big bundle of joy!

Thank you for visiting, my friend.

Love,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Good morning, Karen,

That first cup of coffee in the morning is liquid gold! LOL.

Happy St. Valentine's Day, my friend. I have been invited out to lunch today! Looking forward to it. Will be over later. Thank you for coming by. Have a wonderful day!

Love and Hugs,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Dear Laura,

I just came back from visiting you. I am sorry about the fire. A shower of prayers coming your way!

Have a blessed St. Valentine's Day!

Blessings,

Renie

Glo said...

Beautiful Post. Jonquils I just love Jonquils....My grandmother use to have lots around her house. I have a gift for you over at my blog.
Have a great Valentine's Day. It's still cold here. 11 degrees today and going to snow again tonight.........Oh give me Jonquils

Mary said...

Renie,

It was warmer here yesterday. Only -5 instead of -22 and very little wind. It is sunny and nice out right now, but the wind is picking up. That's what makes it cold. It chills you to the bone.

Snowdrops won't be up here for a while either, but I'm looking forward to seeing them poke their heads through the soil. I need spring. This has been a hard winter.

Please drop over to my Writing Nook and pick up a little something I have for you.

Love and blessings,
Mary

Hope said...

Happy Valentine's Day, Renie! I hope your day is sweet!

Hugs,
Hope

Michele said...

Just dropped by again to say Happy Valentine's Day, Renie!

Smiles,
Michele

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Glo,

Brrr, 11 is a bit nippy! LOL.

I hope your Valentine's Day was especially nice. Thank you for the beautiful flower bouquet. I will post it soon. And thank you for stopping over.

Valentine Hugs,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Mary,

Thank you for your beautiful gift! I have picked it up and will post it soon.

I hope your Valentine's Day was great. I'm sure the boys made sure it was!

Hugs,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Thank you, Hope! I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day as well.

Valentine Hugs!

Renie









Hi Michele,

How sweet of you to stop by with your lovely Valentine wish. Thank you. Hope your Valentine's Day was very special.

Valentine Hugs,

Renie

Mississippi Songbird said...

Happy Valentines Day, Renie!

Bunches of hugs!

ancient one said...

Hi Renie, I think my own daffodils will be blooming soon. Wanted to come by and say Happy Valentine's Day!! My old computer is moving much slower tonight. Almost didn't make it! LOL

Anonymous said...

happy valentine's day, renie! =D

Karen H. said...

Good Morning Ms. Renie,
I'm dropping in for our morning coffee. Nothing better than the first taste of coffee the first thing of the morning. I hope you had a great Valentine's Day yesterday. I am still waiting on my Valentine to get home. He should be home in a little while. I sure did miss him yesterday since it was Valentine's Day. It made it up to 51 degrees here yesterday but was on the windy side. I think they have taken the Wintry precipitation out of our forecast. They say it may be mostly rain now. Take care my friend and have a great day. "THANK YOU" for the coffee. May God Bless You and Yours.

Love & Hugs,
Karen H.

Renie Burghardt said...

Thank you for the Valentine's Day wishes, Stephanie. I had a very nice one. Children, grandchildren and friends made it very special. I hope you had a nice one as well, and are feeling much better!

Hugs,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Ann,

Thank you for the good wishes for Valentine's Day. Hope yours was wonderful!





Pia,

Thank you for coming by with the Valentine's Day wishes. I hope yours was happy and special.

Hugs,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Good morning, Karen,

Yes, the forecast is much better than it was. We only have rain to look forward to this weekend. LOL.

Well, you can celebrate Valentine's Day today, with your DH. Hope it will be sweet!

Thank you for coming by, Karen. Have a wonderful weekend.

Love and Hugs,

Renie