Daffodils - Harbinger of Spring

 

Daffodils at Casa Tipton-Kelly Spring 2026

I love daffodils!

When Bill and I first moved to Delaware in 2006 the first thing I noticed during our first Spring was the absence of that yellow, sun shine harbinger of Spring, daffodils.

I quickly took action to prevent that happening the next Spring. 

That fall I dug up some daffodils from an empty lot that was adjacent to my one acre lot. The house that was on that site was long gone, now covered in weeds and trees but the daffodils, planted long ago by the homeowner, were still arriving on schedule. I knew eventually that lot would be used so I dug up those daffodils which were my first daffodils for the Spring of 2007.

Since then I've been planting hundreds of daffodils bulbs from both mail order (Brecks) and daffodils at end of season sale from my local nursery. 

My daffodils from 2014, from when Bill first created this oval planter with three river birch trees

I always envied those properties and homesites that had a profusion of those lovely rays of sunshine that daffodils display after the gray, drab cold of the end of the winter season. Now I am one of those properties. In fact I'm the only one here in the development where I live of fifty-seven houses. And you know what folks? Long after I'm gone these daffodils will continue to bloom, a reminder of the lover of daffodils who once lived here.

Daffodil Tour March 23, 2025

Folks, I present to you this year's (2025) annual Daffodil Tour at Casa Tipton-Kelly.

I took this video early this morning in the clear morning like of a chilly spring day here in southern coastal Delaware. 

Most but not all of my daffodils I have planted over the past nineteen years are now in bloom. 

Most of my daffodils are of the tete-a-tete miniature  variety. I have a few clumps of bigger daffodils like Mount Hood and King Alfred but most are of this small variety. I will have to change that in the coming year to balance out my annual daffodil display. 

Each year I add to my daffodil collection. Over the years I've also added a lot of tulips but not so much the past several years. Tulips tend to fade out in succeeding years but daffodils only grow in profusion. I prefer daffodils although I do like tulips too for color. 

I hope you enjoy the show as much as I do. 

Each year when my daffodils come into bloom I always remember what someone said many years ago during one of their magnificent daffodils displays:

"One can never have too many daffodils!"

Daffodils Spring 2019

Let us pause in the daily travails and enjoy this short video of my spring daffodils in full bloom.

I love daffodils! They are the cheerful harbinger of spring. Spring, that time of year of rebirth.

After a long cold winter, seeing the cheerful yellow daffodils heads dancing in the wind sooth my psyche on these stressful days.

Every fall I plant more daffodils. Last night I placed an order with Brecks for even more daffodils to plant this fall. 

Can never have enough daffodils!

Looking at this video I am again reminded that this is my last move. I am totally happy here on our one acre of land in southern coastal Delaware. Of course I miss hills and mountains  and warm weather and the beat and throb of the city but here is where I will end my days. Of course punctuated with my quarterly excursions with Pat, my Canadian Travel Buddy.

Living the dream folks!

Cold Spring

Our oval planter Easter Sunday, the lighting was just right

Our cold spring continues. Last week we had a few days in the 60's and even one day the temperatures reached 70 degrees. I loved that! However, today we're back to the high 30's and the cold winds. Spring, oh when will you arrive? 

Probably what will happen we'll go straight into the hot and humid days, as has happened so often in the past years.

The past week I've accomplished a lot of yard work outside.  I love doing yard work. For me, it is a form of relaxation. I'm reading a wonderful biography of Rock Hudson. Rock also found doing yard work on his three and half acres of land in the Hollywood Hills his favorite form of relaxation.  Hey, something I have in common with Rock Hudson (smile).

Last week I had delivered six cubic yards of mulch. Every day I've spread at least four wheelbarrows of mulch. The best kind of exercise.  Maybe I can make a dent in those love handles that I've acquired the past few years. But then maybe not.  I think I'm stuck with those darlings for the rest of my life. That's why I wear loose clothing now. 

Me working with those heavy stones from Lowe's

I also had a load of stone blocks deliver from Lowe's last week. Eighty stones.  I laid every one save one.  Now that is some exercise. Those stones were heavy.  

This is the robin's favorite bird bath, maybe they like the statues

This is the first year that I'm really pleased with the amount of daffodils I have blooming. I want our little piece of Heaven here to burst in happy yellow every spring. This fall I will plant at least another hundred daffodils. Can never have enough daffodils.

The robins are back, pooping in our birdbaths. Robins are harbingers of spring to but I wish they wouldn't poop in the birdbaths. They're the only bird that does. 

Spring is finally here folks, in spite of the cold chill in the air. So happy to be here to enjoy yet another year of rebirth.

Tete a tete daffodils

Good Morning Sunshine

Oh my, yet another gorgeous spring day here in southern Delaware! 

I'm loving this folks!  It's days like that that one feels grateful to be alive, in good health, with friends, nice home, not hungry and warm.  Just lovely folks, just so lovely.

With all the bad news in the world isn't it wonderful just to take time out and enjoy The Moment?

Yesterday I hit my favorite local nursery again yesterday and bought even more daffodils.  Oh yes I did.  One can never have too many daffodils, that cherry harbinger of spring and happy days to come.  

A garter snake I found at Pepper's whilst I was perusing the plants - oh yes, I almost peed myself

I've made it through another winter cold spell.  Thankfully this winter wasn't too brutal and even more thankfully I didn't fall and injure my leg or any other body parts like my hip or arm from bracing a fall.  I had a couple of close calls but no accidents.  And wonder of all wonders, I didn't even get a cold this winter. Maybe those flu shots work after all.  

Well folks, I'm off to work again today.  The hotel renovation is almost completed.  We'll be ready for the seasonal onslaught of guests to our spectacular, water view upscale boutique hotel in the smack dab center of Lewes, Delaware.  Come on down!

Best boutique hotel in Delaware

Yesterday I finalized my reservations for a three day stay in Philly at the end of this month.  I'll be staying in the guest suite of my friend Don McK.'s co-op on Walnut Street.  Spring will be popping (I hope) in Philly plus I'll get to spend more time with Don.  In may I'll be returning to Philly to meet my Canadian Travel Buddy Pat.  We'll spend a week in Philly and a few days down here in LSD (Lower Slower Delaware) before the hordes of summertime tourists descend upon us and make the roads impassable. 

Philadelphia, PA - one very COOL city! My "Goldilocks" city; not too big and not too small . . . . just right!

I hope all of you have a bright, cheerful daffodil day!

That Time of Year - Daffodils

Me earlier this week with this season's new arrivals who have found their forever home at Casa Tipton-Kelly

Ah yes, it's "that time of year" folks, when Spring is just around the corner.  

I decided to get a jump start on Spring this year by planting a passel of miniature daffodils I purchased at my favorite local nursery. 

Oh how I love the sassiness of radiant, yellow daffodils bobbing in the brisk Spring air.  Folks, there is no better harbinger of Spring than daffodils spring forth, proclaiming yet another start of rebirth.  

I love all the Spring flowers but daffodils are perhaps my favorite because they come back every year.  They just keep on and on.

Daffodils that I rescued from an abandoned lot - 2005 I planted them in my father's former cornfield - I'm sure they're gone now because my brother lives at the old family homestead and has probably plowed them to extinction - a shame because these were beautiful white daffodils with a yellow stamen  - I tried

Have you ever seen daffodils blooming early in the Spring on a wooded patch of land?  You know what that was don't you?  There used to be someone's home there.  Long after the home is demolished the daffodils continue blooming.  I've always found that sad yet at the same time a reminder that life goes on.

When we moved down here to Delaware, I noticed daffodils blooming at the end of the road that borders our property.  There was no house on that small wooded patch of land but oh how the daffodils would burst forth in all they magnificent yellowness the first hint of Spring.  

As I did when I lived in Pennsylvania, I dug up those daffodils and replanted them on our property.  Good thing that I did because last year whoever owned that land, plowed down all the trees, which were a haven for birds and all kinds of other small wildlife, and now that lot is part of a cornfield.  Thank goodness I rescued those daffodils. 

So if you will excuse me folks, I'm going to take a quick trip to the local nursery and get some more daffodils.

Happy Spring!

Rescued daffodils now in the front of our home - a new lease on life!

Daffodil Saturday

My haul this morning

Hey folks, I love my daffodils!  I love my spring bulbs!  I love Spring!

Well, I do believe that spring is finally here. This morning I visited my favorite nursery, Peppers, and bought up ever last one of their potted daffodils.  Oh I know "fall is the time to plant spring bulbs" and I do but two factors discourage me from fall planting.  First I'm not really in the mood after a summertime of gardening and secondly, I'm never sure where my previously planted bulbs are located.  One thing I hate to do in the fall when digging in the dirt, is to shove my trowel into a perfectly good daffodil or tulip bulb.
This is why I take advantage of potted daffodil bulbs in the spring, I know the "holes" where I can plant them.  

By the way, did you notice my propensity for double entendres lately? Especially of a sexual nature?  My goodness, what has gotten into me? Truth be told though, I've always had this "propensity" thinking it was clever and funny when in actually I'm only outwardly displaying my latent sexual nature.  I am a passionate person I am.  Lucky you if you're on the receiving end of my passion, just saying.  If I can't toot my own horn who can?

Oldie Goldie

Well folks, time to spread that mulch on those eighty or so daffodil bulbs that I put in the ground earlier today.  I'm going to take my shirt off and get my first dose of vitamin D (sunshine).  My old pale torso could use some sun to get rid of its winter pallor.  

The Lewes Tulip Festival has nothing on my backyard oval

Daffodils

We moved into Casa Tipton-Kelly in November of 2006.  When the Spring of 2007 rolled around and I was very disappointed to notice that I had neglected to plant any spring bulbs, especially daffodils.  How could I have forgotten that cheerful harbinger of Spring, the bright yellow daffodil to puncture the monotone drabness of the end of the previous winter?

I immediately made a vow that Spring day in 2007 to correct that oversight and plant plenty of spring bulbs the following fall.  I thought I had planted a lot of spring bulbs in the fall of 2007, but when Spring of 2008 rolled around, there was only a smattering of yellow. MORE BULBS!  

In the ensuing years I've been planting more and more bulbs and I think now, the Spring of 2014 (oh how the years do roll by) I'm getting there.  I still have a long way to go but surveying and recording my Riot of Yellow this morning, I'm getting there.  

Next up, the tulips!

Planting Daffodils

I love daffodils.  They are the first harbinger of spring.  Their cheerful, bright yellow color cuts through the drab later winter monotones.

I have a problem planting them though.  All the experts say to plant them in the fall.  Only problem there is that I'm "gardened out" and just don't feel like fussing around in the landscape around here at that time of the season.  Plus, I don't know where my other bulbs are planted because everything is covered with growth.  Nothing more disconcerting than to dig down in the ground and here the crunch of slicing through a previously planted bulb.  So, I plant in the spring.

Our daffodils at Whispering Pines, Pennsylvania 1998

Yesterday I stopped at Pepper's Greenhouse and bought a dozen more potted daffodils ($7.95 each folks!)  Hey, it's worth it to me.  What would I pay for the bulbs alone?  Probably around $4.95.  Can't take it with me, that's what I say when I spend money that some would consider foolish.

"Whispering Pines" our home of 25 years in Pennsylvania

My goal is to surround our whole back yard with thousands of daffodils. I remember how disappointed I was our first Spring here at Casa Tipton-Kelly in 2007.  First sign of spring and nary a bulb of color popped out of the ground.  How unlike our former property in Pennsylvania which had hundreds if not thousands of bulbs planted over the twenty-five years we lived at Whispering Pines (the name of our 6.875 property in Chester County, PA)

More of our daffodils at Whispering Pines, PA - they belong to someone else now

So, I got the daffodils planted this morning in spite of the nippy wind whipping around my neck.  Mission accomplished.

Daffodils and Other Things

"Ron's Rescued Orphan Daffodils"

Just got up from my afternoon nap.  A wee bit tired here folks after transplanting three flats of pansies.  Yes, it IS that time of year...spring is finally around the corner.

Last night Day Light Savings Time went into effect.  This is the one time of year that I hate my obsession with clocks.  I think I have about forty-five (yes, FORTY-FIVE) clocks to change.  I love clocks and rarely pass up an opportunity to feed my acquisitive nature for clocks.

I think I have all of them changed.  There is usually one or two I miss that I discover around May or June when I wander into one of our little used rooms here at Casa Tipton-Kelly and wonder what happened to the time when I look at one of those clocks I missed "springing forward".

Pictured above is one of my several clumps for freshly popped out daffodils.  Like our previous property, all the daffodil bulbs around here were stolen taken rescued from an abandoned house site.  Ever see an old run down house or just an empty overgrown lot that in the spring time has clumps and clumps of fresh faced yellow daffodils insolently bobbing in the spring time winds?  A couple of years ago I noticed that the weed overgrown lot at the end of the back lane behind our house had hundreds of daffodils that bloomed every spring.  Two years ago I decided to steal rescue those little baby orphans obviously begging for a loving home.  They be rescued now and don't they look happy?

Another heavy work schedule again last week.  My nappy time yesterday was over three hours!  I'm turning into my Mom, sleeping all day and night.  Another sure sign of Getting Old.

I'm loving this extra hour of daylight and looking forward to the days getting even longer.  Now we're headed into the best time of the year, spring and summer and fall.  I love all the seasons and would only live where I could experience the change of seasons but January and February are really the JUST GET THROUGH IT MONTHS aren't they?  Every year I tell myself I'm going go be like so many of my well off LGBT peers (with their VERY GENEROUS government funded pensions) and head for warmer climes during the dead of winter.

The Other Half in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Fun in the Sun

But alas, I am but a poor LGBT with a few meager Philadelphia bank pensions (which have no cost of living increase unlike government pensions)  and I cannot afford that luxury.  Now if I had stayed at my job at the National Security Agency I could have been one of these rich gay Washington D.C. types that are the reason we have so many overpriced restaurants here in Gayberry Rehoboth Beach, DE.  In fact I see where a few of my Friend of Judy peers have just returned from several weeks of idle rich lolling about at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  As the Church Lady used to say "Well, aren't we special?"

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

I got called into work again on Friday on short notice.  Hopefully I can go back to my regular schedule of working Wednesday and Thursday nights.  I like that work rhythm.  Hopefully I say.  There always seems to be some kind of drama going on at work with my co-workers.  I feel like a fireman, called in at the last moment to stomp out another fire.

Friday I also got the stitches out of my back from the removal of the golf ball sized cyst that was growing on my spine.  The lab reports came back negative.  NO CANCER!  Dodged another bullet.  There's one out there for me but My Time hasn't arrived yet.

Bill has a cold.  I had one last week that only lasted one day.  My nose was running like a leaky spigot.  I'm all right now, thank God.  I don't need another cold.  For a mild winter I sure have had my share of colds this winter.

I see the late afternoon sun beckoning me for my daily walk back in the Oyster Rocks development.  I would walk in my neighborhood but I run into too many of my neighbors. I prefer to be the Unknown Stranger in a Strange Neighborhood when I take my daily constitutional.

Well, I'm off for my walk.  Have a great day!

Rescued Daffodils

Rescued Daffodils

Early last spring I saw bunches of daffodils pushing their way through the tangled undergrowth of weeds and vines at the end of the lane behind our house.   Obviously there was once a house and home on that now overgrown with jungle like vines and trees at one time.  The daffodils sprouting up in spring is always a sure sign that a family once lived there in a house that was their home.  No doubt the family that lived in that house many years ago always rejoiced when they saw their daffodils that someone planted in the fall burst up through the cold earth in spring.  It seemed a shame to leave those daffodils in that now abandoned home site.  


So last year I got out my old friend The Shovel and strolled up to the lot at the end of the lane behind my one acre backyard and dug those suckers up and planted them around my house.  


Take a look at them in the photo that I took in front of my house just a few minutes  ago.  Now don't they seem happy?  No longer do they seem forlorn, nodding in the wind, pleading for someone to appreciate them.  Those sunshine yellow harbingers of spring now have a new home.  


Hey, I do what I can.  

The Rescued Daffodils go well with my Chieftain Tulips