Sunshine and shadow

It's very beautiful outside-- in a grey, wet and chilly sort of way. The sun is surprisingly warm when it comes out between storms.   Everything bloomed at once this year, instead of our usual long, slow spring. The neighborhood is bursting with color.  I guess the plants decided now or never,  a flower can't wait around forever for a 70 degree day.

Some places have had double the normal rainfall this March and April, that's how wet it's been in the Northwest. There's a few slow bumblebees out and about, but the other pollinators are sleeping late. The plum tree is blooming in the rain, so this may be the second year without fruit. But of course it's still too early to tell.  The forecasters are teasing us with a dry and sunny day for Friday.