Although I grew up in the country, we didn't have pussy willows growing on our County Line homestead.  And if I'd ever seen them before, the fuzzy sticks apparently had not made an impression on me.

But that day, in first grade, they did.  Our teacher passed the twigs through the room and we all got to stroke the soft, furry buds.  I was mesmerized, and have loved pussy willows ever since.

They just make me smile, probably in large part due to the fact that they are one of the earliest signs that spring has arrived in Indiana!

My sweet Kimmie, knowing how much I love them, has planted some by the cabin so now each spring I can have my very own...

...pussy willows.