In Wisconsin, snowdrops normally bloom in March, and, true to their name, burst through remnants of snow. This year, the only snow left is what has been plowed into mountains at the edges of driveways and parking lots, and even those are nearly gone.

But the snowdrops are here all the same, though rather early. And none the less welcome for that.

I’d rather have flowers than almost anything. Except, perhaps, snow.