"People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us." — Iris Murdoch

I have to admit: Winter finally got to me. I'm surely not alone. This year, Chicago has had six feet of snow. Just to the north, in Michigan, over 10 feet of snow has fallen. The eastern seaboard has been shut down several times, and we all know about the people in Atlanta who spent a day or longer stuck in their cars on freeways. Given this weather, I snuck out of town to Arizona for a few days.

As delightful as the warmer weather was, it was almost too much of a dichotomy. The most noticeable thing was the overt lack of water. Unlike cities such as San Diego, where lawns and parks have sprinklers watering them two or three times a day, Arizona has a precious few areas with any grass at all. It's just a lot of gravel and cacti offering a most unforgiving landscape.

Notably missing in the desert during winter are flowers. When the rains come to the southwest in July, the desert and surrounding mountains temporarily explode in small flowers. And, when the snow melts elsewhere, we're again treated to perennials. It's now that's the problem. Perhaps that's why the Postal Service has just issued a set of four colorful new stamps entitled "Winter Flowers."

In a sense, the stamps are a cruel hoax in that one might expect these flowers to be visible in winter. Well, yes and no. They do bloom during the wintertime — just not outdoors in the U.S.

Featured on the stamps are the amaryllis, cyclamen, Christmas cactus and paperwhite. But, you'll have to travel to see them in their native habitats. The amaryllis and Christmas cactus are both native to the rain forests and jungles of South America. The cyclamen and paperwhites are indigenous to the Mediterranean.

Those with winter green thumbs may recognize the flowers as those grown indoors in pots, especially on and around Christmas. The paperwhite is one of the most fragrant of all flowers with the amaryllis having gigantic trumpet blooms in a variety of vivid colors. All are much needed winter distractions and refreshing harbingers of the colors spring promises to bring with other blooms.

The four forever stamps are now available. For a limited time, First Day of Issue cancels can be obtained by purchasing the stamps at a local post office, affixing one or more to self-addressed envelopes, and sending those inside a separate envelope to: Winter Flowers Stamps, Little Rock Main Post Office, 600 E. Capital Ave., Little Rock, AR 72202-9998.

Winter is also the ideal time for a good read. Ralph Ellison, the award-winning author of the 1952 novel "Invisible Man" is getting his due on a new 91-cent stamp intended for mail up to three ounces in weight. For those unfamiliar with the work, this is not the invisible man of H.G. Wells' fame. Ellison crafted his most famous work based on his perceived experience of being personally excluded as an African-American, even though he was well-educated.

"Invisible Man" won the National Book Award in 1953. His nonfiction contributions also include "Shadow and Act" and "Going to the Territory." His works earned him the National Endowment of the Arts award, as well as appointments to the Kennedy Center, a consultant job to the Library of Congress, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. Ellison died in New York in 1994.

The high-face value stamp is a portrait of Ellison, based on a photo of him on a Harlem street in the evening.

This Ellison stamp is now available, and collectors can receive the special First Day of Issue cancel by purchasing it at a local post office, affixing it to a self-addressed envelope and mailing it inside of a separate larger envelope to: Ralph Ellison Stamp, Cancellation Services, 8300 NE Underground Drive, Pillar 210, Kansas City, MO 64144-0001.

NOTE: For both the Winter Flowers and Ralph Ellison stamps, there is no charge for the special cancels, but all orders MUST be received no later than April 16, 2014. Canceled envelopes will be returned via regular mail.

Editor's Note: JPEG visuals of the block of four Winter Flowers and Ralph Ellison stamps have been sent with this column.

To find out more about Peter Rexford and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.