As it waits for green, the Star magnolia reaches for the blue. Sometimes I think magnolia buds are the only things that get me through the winter. They begin to form soon after the tree is done flowering in the spring, so that by autumn they are pussy willow-sized decorations on the bare tree. All winter they wear their furry little coats--not proudly, of course, just out of necessity--promising that one day, when the sky is very blue, and the sun warms things up properly, they will unbutton the coats, slip off one sleeve and then the next..and then drop them in a heap like children do when they come home from school. They will parade their white bridal gown of petals while lawns are khaki, trees are leafless and spring flowers are just poking their heads out of the ground.

Most years this style show occurs around April 9. This year, many plants are showing early growth signs, but the magnolia looks just about like it did on March 8. Today is April 8. The blue sky beckons me outside to rake off winter mulch, which would seem like work, except that I will be watching for magnolia blossoms to open like popcorn in the movie theater of spring.