April 3, 2013 Wildflowers!



First yellow bell - 4-6 weeks early!





Balsam root on the south slope















Monday, 4/1.  A relaxing morning spent reading mail and magazines.  It was already 50 by 11:00 am and our high for the day was 58.  This warm, dry weather is enjoyable, but I am quite concerned about the lack of precipitation this year.  I would gladly put up with an extended mud season and a more normal snow pack.  Certainly do not want a replay of last Fall.

I called Nene to thank her for all the Easter goodies.  She sent enough candy to last until next Easter. . . or at least May.

Today was going to be a complete day off, but once we got outside we discovered things we wanted to do.  JB shaved the top of the stump with his chain saw in order to level it off a bit, and that was his work for the day.  I gathered a bag of pine needles for the fire; emptied the garbage and recycle; hung out the laundry.  The dogs slept most of the day, recouperating from Sunday.

Tuesday, 4/2.  Clear and a little cooler this morning, 34.  With all the recent sunshine and last night's wind, all the snow is gone from the yard now and most of the mud has dried out.  The driveway across from the house is still sloppy though.

The April issue of "The Smithsonian" magazine has some fascinating articles, as usual, including an especially poignant one about the brilliant Chinese artist, Cai Guo-Qiang.  There is also an interesting one about dirt, and why children who don't play in it do not have well developed immune systems.  I still play in the dirt and mud. . .

I vacuumed today instead of just using the carpet sweeper.  We took the other track and all the tires off MAX.  Then JB drove his Jeep up to the south ridge and we pulled two loads of large branches down that we had cut a few weeks ago.  I gathered up another bag of needles.  54 was our high today, although I am sure it was 60 in the sun.  Clouds covered the sky by dinnertime, but rain is not due until Wednesday night.

Wild flowers have popped up in the past two days, four to six weeks early Up Here!  The balsam root had not even broken ground on Saturday, and now it is everywhere on the south slope.

Wednesday, 4/3.  This morning is clear and 32 with a breeze.  JB is going Down There to pick up the parts for MAX and do a little grocery shopping.

Thought for the day:  Just living is not enouogh.  One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.  Hans Christian Andersen