I first heard the term Spy Wednesday in the opening pages of Niall Williams’ This is Happiness, one of the few audiobooks I own for which I also bought the hard copy book — it was that good.

Spy Wednesday marks the day when Judas Iscariot made the deal which, two days later in Holy Week, results in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

For me, yesterday was I Spy Wednesday. It was the day I looked closely enough at the back garden to realize that there was not one, not two, but eight tulips blooming, in pinks and white, these from bulbs I drug home from Holland last summer.

I’ve been holding my breath about the backyard garden. It took a devastating turn last summer and I wasn’t sure how much it would revive. The blooming tulips seemed to be telling me that all is well, it’s safe to grow here. Weed us. Feed us. We won’t let you down.