Spring fever

It's almost spring and my favorite flower is in full bloom. I had picked up a bunch of tulips last week and they were closed up tight but today they were open and beautiful.
I did a painting of tulips a while ago and I hung it where I can see it every day. I had read about them when I did the painting and remember that the tulip originated centuries ago in Persia and Turkey. They used to wear the tulips in their turbans and their name actually comes from the Persian word for turban.

They did eventually become extremely popular in the Netherlands where it was said to have caused a phenomenom 'tulip mania'...
I can just see myself living in the 17th century and having contributed to that mania. They are so perfect after all!!