Forsythia

The name of this flowering shrub is the same in French as in English. One example I found on the Forvo application pronounced in English as [for-SIGH-thee-uh], but most say [for-SIH-thee-uh]. The -th- is said as in "thing" or "think", not as in "the" or "thus". In French it's pronounced something like [for-see-SYAH] with a French R and the stress on the third syllable. Ours has started blooming in our back yard now.

My plum tree

This is the tree I call "my" plum tree (mon prunier) because I grew it myself from pits, first in pots and then in the ground at the northwest corner of our back yard. It's a rustic variety that blooms in late winter or early spring. Most years, the birds get the majority of the plums, but I've had a few good harvests over the years. The plums themselves are small and not very sweet, but they make really good tarts, clafoutis, sauces, and jelly or jam.

I started the day with a bang early this morning when I got out of bed. I tripped on a rug and fell down, slamming into a wall as I hit the floor. Luckily I didn't get hurt, and Walt was able to hold me by the wrist and help me get up off the floor. I hope an accident like this one will teach me to be more careful in the future.