What to look for in Spring

By the end of February many signs of Spring have already appeared and, as the days grow longer, the hearts of country dwellers are stirred to renewed wonder at the swelling of buds and the sight of the early blossoms of hazel, willow alder and poplar ...
....thus begins the introduction to the Ladybird Nature Book by E.L.Grant Watson,
with illustrations by C.F.Tunnicliffe (1961)
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Here, hazel twigs from our hedgerow make an understated but effective mid-century modern display in a Habitat 'onion' vase. What to look for in Spring lies open on the first illustration, featuring catkins and mallard ducks, a favourite mid-century theme. Completing the scene on the teak nesting tables is a hand-carved teak duck from Canada, all ready for Spring.
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This was the post from @blackbirdsandme instagram account, this time last year, and I love it so much I'm using it as this year's February blog post. Because,  amidst all the storms we're having and the disheartening flooding which is affecting so many homes, businesses, town and country folk alike, Spring is hopefully just around the corner, and we need, more than ever, to look for it. In our Devon hedgerow, the catkins are dangling once again, just as they did last year, the robin is sweetly singing and a female blackbird seems almost grateful for the sodden lawn. If we keep looking for Spring, maybe we will find it.