Decades ago, each March as the northwest mystic sky started to show the sun through cracks in the clouds, we were tempted to get on our bikes and pedal around the farm roads to see how the daffodils, tulips and irises were progressing. The colors were spectacular. Rows of intense yellow daffodils striped the fields. And later in April the valley’s tulips displayed patchwork quilts of peachy orange sewed to fiery red sewed to deep purple. Our spring bike trips never disappointed.

One year, 1981, Community Homewell, a visiting nurse agency, wanted to start a hospice service. Needing financing, t...