Spring springing

The ornamental cherry tree in our side yard, just off the terrace, has finally burst into flower. It's fairly late this year. Don't expect cherries or you'll be disappointed. Just enjoy the pink flowers. Let's hope they don't freeze — though it is warmer this morning at +3ºC than it was yesterday morning.

Some things you can count on in springtime, and firebugs are among them. They're called gendarmes in French, and they seem to be Eurasian, not American. As soon as there's a hint, a faint glow, a hope of sunshine at the end of winter, firebugs gather in droves on south-facing tree trunks, plants, gravel, and walls to bask in it, no matter the chilly temperatures.

Firebugs are inoffensifs, as we say in French. They do no harm and just look pretty — kind of like ladybugs, but they don't fly. They feed on linden tree seeds, which explains why there are so many of them in our back yard. Their mating behavior includes crowding together like the ones above.

And finally, a salad for lunch. Duck gizzards (gésiers de canard), thinly sliced. A poached egg. Some lettuce, and some early tomatoes (hothouse tomatoes for sure...). Pommes de terre sarlaidaises — potatoes lightly sauteed in duck fat. All with a hint of garlic vinaigrette.