A friend gave us a bouquet of pussy willow branches. The soft catkins really do look and feel like soft kitten toes. I don't have one of these trees in our yard, so I'm hoping they take root. As members of the willow family, they should do so quite easily.This is a lovely sign of spring and it reminds me of first grade. A classmate brought in huge bundles of branches -- enough for every child in the class to take a few home. Mom put them in a vase. When my little sister saw them she was delighted. "What ARE they?" We told her, "Pussy willow." And then, wickedly, we both told her that kittens would grow from each fuzzy bud. As her excitement grew, so did our guilt. We had to fess up rather quickly. I'll never forget her mournful, "So kittens WON'T grow from them?" When we apologized and said no, there would be no kittens, she quickly lost interest in the pussy willows and in us. Amazing how much indignation she could muster up at that tender age. I smile, remembering.
Happy Spring! Pussy Willow photos by JulenaJo.
I just love pussy willows! They are such sweet fuzzy blossoms! :)
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite stories when I was about 9 was one of the "Just Mary Stories" about a little girl who happened at the right magical time and place to see pussywillow catkins turn into fluffy kittens and crawl down the branches to play together in the grass. Cant remember the details but I think the littlest kitten couldnt climb back up at the appointed time and the girl got to keep it. Every year when I find the first pussywillows I always think of that story!
ReplyDeleteI think we all have fond memories of childhood and pussy willows. They are a botanical marvel. And they're a sign of spring--gotta love that!
ReplyDeleteCheers.
JulenaJo, adorable memory from your childhood..is your sister still mad?..lol..You're right, pussy willows are extremely easy to root..they were the biggest seller at the flower show...I smiled every time I passed a customer with a bundle in their arms! My star magnolia buds look like pussy willows right now.
ReplyDeleteLynn
What a lovely bundle of pussy willows ..I wish some grew nearby.
ReplyDelete... kitty cat seeds!!!
Hi I just ran back over to invite you to my party!
ReplyDeleteHope you stop on by for my 1st Blogoversary/100th post celebration! I'm even having a giveaway! Do come on over! Everyone is invited!!! :)