Looking for Signs of Growth

After a gloomy rainy Sunday, a bright morning sun rose to welcome the first working day of the new year. As I walked around the yard, I noticed small, almost imperceptible signs of growth, indicating possibly a mild winter.

-- Picture 1: Raindrops hanging on the dark red flower buds of an andromeda. In the background, the fine feathers of a Mexican featherglass have turned golden. Surprisingly, after buried by the snow for a week, both plants re-emerged, completely intact.

-- Picture 2: Eastern teaberry with clusters of pink-colored fruits, like shining pearls, decorating a corner of the winter garden. In the background, new green leaves of bearded iris.

-- Picture 3: No, it's not an exotic brown-greenish flower, but the leaves of a daisy. After the blooming season last fall, tiny leaves on the tip of several branches didn't wither. Instead, they turned partially brown and collectively formed the shape a flower. The verdant color in the background was a kind of weed with tiny round leaves. Isn't it way too early for weeds to come out?

I could feel the warmth in the soil. I could feel the warmth in the air.