Diary 2/11

Another nice day ahead of some cloudy and rainy weather soon.  I noticed these blooming in the woods yesterday.  I knew they were out around Valentine's Day as my children used to wander the forest on their way up from the bus stop picking copious bouquets of them for me this time of year.  I have struggled to find their name, even though I own several wildflower books.  In our area, they are the first to bloom, and may have escaped notice for that reason.  The leaves look very geraniumesque, but the flowers are a simple bell.  Linnaeus, where are you?