So we’ve done it again! Today was the (northern hemisphere) shortest day and here we still are. We’ve turned the corner, we’re the survivors! Now it’s just a matter of time and the sun will slowly come back to us. Very slowly at first, imperceptibly, but it’s all about the mindset, and my heartfelt thanks to the sun for all those extra seconds, then minutes, then hours of light. And to celebrate, I officially declare open the hunt for those seasonal firsts, with the totally unexpected encounter of the very first crocuses, the silvery crocus (Crocus biflorus), discovered on a walk with my husband in the neighbouring region of Lazio not far from Rome. The price paid? Dodging battalions of wild boar hunters, cattle farmers with caveman bellows to summon their errant herds, tree fellers and off-road enduro bikers. Was it worth it? Well, I suppose so, but…