This Sunday afternoon I was surprised to see tall green stems on Momma’s red rose bush.

It’s in the front flower bed, and I’ve had it for so many years that I’ve forgotten what year I planted it, but remember it was in May on Mother’s Day when I was missing her.

Again this year I forgot to trim it back in February, but it’s strong just like her, and apparently that little bit of rain we got over the weekend did the trick.

Those branches have reached out and pricked me a few times over the years to remind me they need water. They may have also brushed up against a mail carrier, or two.

I didn’t think to look to see if I had any daffodils coming up. It’s too dark to look now, thanks to The Time Change.

Soon the pear trees down the block will be blooming, and that will mean that it’s really spring. Ditto for the dogwoods.

When we first moved to Hennessey there were two trees in our front yard, but I think their roots interfered with water lines.

We also had two apple trees in the backyard at one time, and I can’t remember why those were removed. It probably had to do with my husband having to pick them up back when he was doing the mowing.

That reminds me of what was my little tomato garden a few years ago. My brother from another mother who lives in Durant brought in concrete blocks back then, and we had tomato-growing talks and contests for a couple of years, but then I lost interest.

Yes, he probably won all the time, and if you know me, I’m competitive about stuff like that, and hate losing.

So now what was once the little tomato garden is now the biggest eyesore in the neighborhood. But at least it’s in the back yard. It’s right next to my postage stamp size patio, and frankly, I’ve been afraid to tackle that monstrous clump of … no telling what it is.

That’s my problem: I’m fearful that something is living in there besides the overgrown dead, or still-alive-plants, and tall weeds.

If you’re wondering why I’m sharing this with you it’s because after making it public it’ll make me do something about it sooner than not never.

It’s sorta like when I wrote a column about going on a diet, and sticking with it, and people saw me at Braum's buying ice cream, chocolate sauce, and a can, or two, of whipped cream.

And maybe cookies. In my defense, I also bought a large bunch of grapes.

So if the weather is good in the next couple of weeks, and my left leg isn’t acting up again, or something else doesn't go wrong, I’ll let you know how it goes.

For now, I’m going to enjoy the hello I got from Momma’s red rose bush this afternoon.