Still Inspired By Spring Pussy Willows

Salix Discolor -- American Willow -- Wikipedia

Spring is back again after a week or more of unseasonably record setting high temperatures. I'm still inspired by the Pussy Willows, a reminder of the new life soon to come. New Spring ATC and tag I made this week:

Pretty Pussy Willows

Growing in the hedges,
Smoothing with thy fairy wands,
Nature's ragged edges.
Lighting up the bushes
With thy touch of silver,
Thou art generous unto all,
Cheerful little giver.
Pretty Pussy Willows
Smile as if 'twere duty,
Is it marvel that we love,
Spring's first gift of beauty?
~unknown~

The Pussy Willow seem almost like little fury animals on the limbs -- sweet furry little kittens:

 I sometimes think the Pussy-Willows grey
Are Angel Kittens who have lost their way,
And every Bulrush on the river bank
A Cat-Tail from some lovely Cat astray.
~Oliver Herford~






Source: Illustration by Oliver Herford
Source: Poem by Oliver Herferd The Kitten's Garden of Verses

More vintage images of Pussy Willows from vintage books:

A vintage post card below from Little Birdie Blessings:

Pussy Willows below from the online book: Flowers From Here and There

Read the children's story: The Origin of the Pussy Willow from Overheard in Fairyland by Madge A. Bingham at The Baldwin Project