Catch up Post 3: Bulbs and taxes.

This post covers mainly the last half of February and all of March.

I wish I can recall if I had more to say – I’m sure I did.

First – Bulbs.  It is interesting to note the progression of bulbs coming up at my house.   I noticed the first crocuses blooming in front of my “bow” window (I tend to call it a bay window – but according to the people who fitted my blinds it’s a bow window)  when I went to the valentines’ cat show.   There they were – as I hurried to the car with a cat carrier in my hand.   I had to stop and look! I was shocked, it wasn't even March yet and here is a splash of yellow color. 

This was joined about a week later by several other flowers.   As March progressed, other bulbs started to come up.  I had the crocuses blooming and some other unidentified small blue flowers.  I had thought they were “glory of the snow”  and bought more bulbs – but when those started blooming I could tell they were different then the blue flowers I already had.   I took pictures and eventually will go to a garden center and show them the difference to see if I can i'd for sure the mystery blue flowers. 

Anyway watching the different bulbs come up in sequence to not only what they are but where I planted them is amazing.   Bulbs planted near the house in the front – which faces more or less south east – came up first and early.  Even the hyacinths, daffodils and tulips.  The tulips and daffodils were pretty much zapped in April though – with back to back to back 6-12” snow storms.   The blooms I have now – even the late ones that normally bloom in may – are ragged and falling over.  

The next bulbs to come up were the ones I planted further down in the xeriscape by the sump pump ditch.  This area is further east then the other place I planted them – down the pathway to the street.   What was interesting is the eastmost bulbs came up and bloomed WEEKS earler then the westmost bulbs.  And there is not that much distance – about 20 feet from the two areas. 

The very last bulbs to come up – the few crocus bulbs I put in the back of the house – the north side.   I put three around both my trees – and I only saw one bulb come up.  And this was a different bulb – a glory of the snow that I mentioned earlier – so I must have mistaken it for a crocus bulb. 

There are two crocuses blooming right now – April 30 – in my little garden bed in front of the back porch area.  Long after the other crocuses have died back.    I think I'll put more out there next year.  (next fall).

Other bulbs that I put in – flower names I don't recall now- did not bloom.  I had one bluish purple floppy flower about 2” bloom – but that’s it.  I know I put in 6 bulbs that are supposed to yield a white flower that I never saw.    I can conclude one of the following:  Either – 1. They did not survive/come up this year.   2. They came up – but didn't bloom this year.  or  3.  They came up and bloomed but were hit by the cold/snow just at the right time to curb the start of the bloom or ruin the flower and  I don’t/didn’t recognize it. 

Second: Taxes.   I got my taxes in at the end of February/beginning of March.  Pretty early for me.  As I sold my condo, I was unsure how it was going to pan out.   My tax adviser worked up the loss for the rental portion – but did not report the loss of the sale of the house.   Surprisingly, There was a possibility to be able to report both, but the rule is new and may not be set in stone yet.  So to be on the safe side (which I’m ALL for), she just did the rental loss.   

I also had her fill out corrections from last year as I shouldn't have deducted my H.S.A. contributions – as they were deducted from my paycheck and already done before taxes.   The H.S.A portion of the tax documents and instructions were NOT very clear.  (so what else is new in regards to the IRS?)   All of that has been resolved.  The Federal IRS and state both cashed my checks for the correction, and sent me refunds for this years taxes.   Next year I should be back to doing them on my own.