Veronica, I think you're exactly right. Funny how little things like that hang on from yesteryear. Like so many from this area, I have Scottish ancestry too. I must get some pics of the Forsythias today. Last year they didn't bloom much, but they're making up for it this year. Wanting to take pics has got me out there weeding and cleaning up the beds- I don't want to show off my weeds, LOL.
I do have a pic of some of my Forsythia that I forced! We had a fund raising event the the venue I work at (The Winchester Opera House), and one of the organizers had wanted Forsythia branches to decorate with. So about 10 days before the event, I cut several buckets full and the timing was perfect.