Tulips

There are many things that I miss about living in Washington, and one of them is the tulips. Color-blocked fields of tulips. Tulip bulbs coming to life and poking their green stems out of the earth in household flower gardens. Tulips in the parks and sold on the streets and lining library walkways. Tulips everywhere.

In an attempt to quench my longing for all things green and bright and beautiful, I've made a little deal with myself. Each time I go to the store, if tulips are for sale, I buy them. Every single time.

Yes, they're cut flowers. They don't last long. And a dollar a stem might sound extravagant. But they're only available for a brief month or two, and they make me so happy. At this very moment, I have a simple bunch of yellow tulips atop my kitchen table and I can't help looking at them every few minutes. They are so cheerful.

Next week, maybe I'll buy pink.

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