Hints of spring

Finally, the long NFL season has ended.   The game threatened to be a runaway, but thanks to an electrical malfunction which gave the 49ers a chance to catch their collective breath,  the rout turned into a game which came down to a desperation toss into the end zone with less than 2 minutes left.  My only complaint about the Ravens' win will be the lionization of Ray Lewis as the quintessential football star.  If that's the truth, we need a new paradigm.  Now at least we can look forward to spring.  I think I will start some of the more time consuming herb and flower seeds later this week.  Rosemary and snapdragons head that list.  With 120 days to bloom, the snaps are easily the longest seed to flower plant I attempt.  Rosemary is another challenge, especially getting decent germination and transplanting several times before ultimately making it to the outdoor garden.  These challenges will be followed shortly by the peppers, celosia, thyme, celery and other long duration plants.  The 2013 season will be off and running.