We're enjoying (?) a raw, not-very-nice spring day here, with rain expected later this afternoon and off and on for the next week or so. That should make a huge difference in the snow on our hillsides AND the ice on the pond. I think we're getting into the zone of actually seeing some open water in the big pond soon. There are strips of open water in the first two ponds near both narrows, and the big pond is showing signs around the shoreline of things loosening up. With rain and high winds in the next few days, there are certain to be some rapid changes.

In the meantime, nothing much is sprouting, but there are pussy-willows out in full bloom and some buds on our lilac bushes are showing signs of waking up. I haven't been out to look at the apple trees - too much snow in the back yard, still. It's all moving inthe right direction, though. Except this morning there was a brief shower of "snrain" - that's snow and rain mixed. It didn't amount to anything at all, so no harm done. The temperature has remained in the 40s so far today, and that's ok, too. Better to have gradual melting going on than have it turn too warm and then conditions on our back roads could go south quickly.

After writing yesterday about the uselessness of honing the potholes this time of year, when we went out around noon, we found that Cabot had dumped some gravel and honed West Shore Road - and it made a huge difference. I stand by my theory that the potholes will be back within a few days, though. It's just the way things go. We were very happy that the road was so much improved, though. Good work, Cabot road crew! (They really do a great job under really difficult circumstances.)


Nancy Buttura sent these pictures from Arizona. Ithink I have identified Brittlebush and Prickly  Pear, but I don't know what the



 

purple ones are. It's nice to see what is blooming in other parts of the country - and thank, Nancy for sending those really nice shots.