So Many Things!

Spring fever has apparently hit a number of my friends/viewers! I've had some interesting emails in the past 24 hours and will share some of that with you.

Before I do that, I want to put out this warning: The State of Vermont is warning that black bears are out and about earlier than normal this year, and they are hungry! We should bring in our bird feeders and be sure there is no garbage or food of any kind around to attract the bears. They are powerful beasts and will do whatever necessary to reach food, especially this time of the year when food sources are very slim in the wild. Birds will find seeds and survive without humans feeding them, and with the deep cold and snowy weather past, they will be just fine. So haul in your feeders and be sure your garbage pails are secure. Be safe.

Another warning I want to put out for you is that a woman reported on Front Porch Forum this week that she saw a wolf while walking on the rail trail in the Danville area. She also said she had heard a wolf in the direction of Peacham, apparently on another walk on the trail. Wolves are not prevalent in our area - or at least, haven't been, to my knowledge - but we know that they are in every state now, so it is not surprising they might be in our area. She seemed certain it was a wolf, not a coyote, although at a distance, I expect it would be difficult to tell. Here is a detailed comparison between a wolf and coyote. Both animals are smart and will learn quickly where easy food sources are, and much like bears, they will be repeat customers. In addition, coyotes are agile and will snatch a small animal such as a dog or cat, and be gone in an instant. Both wolves and coyotes will avoid humans whenever possible; however, there have been instances when, usually due to rabies, there have been attacks on humans. That said, small animals could be easy prey, and people should be aware and take extra measures to keep their pets safe. The good news (for some of us) is that coyotes will stalk and kill Canada geese, and therefore, they help to keep the goose population under control.

My friend, Mary Whitcomb, sent this weather forecast to me today. She is keeping close track of the weather in order to try to make a better-educated guess about the date and time the clock will stop. I thought some of you who may not have sent in your tickets, or who might like this added info before you send them, would be interested. Tickets need to be in by midnight, April 1st.

We have Joe's Ponders in Arizona - from left to right, Susan Bouchard, Nancy Buttura, and Leo Buttura - and in front, looking very western authentic, is Butch Bouchard. Nancy said they were at an air show in Tucson and that it was one of the few really warm days they've had recently. She was a bit worried the latest California weather would turn the nice trend back to cool in Tucson. 

On a personal note, I am appalled that there was another school  shooting and more innocent children and adults killed. It is incredible that someone, somewhere, isn't able to figure out a solution. It seems logical to me (and has for years) that removing assault rifles from the available arsenal of non-military personnel would be a reasonable first step; and somehow we need to figure out what motivates young people to go on killing sprees. And we need to fix it. That this keeps happening and our leaders can't or won't do anything to stop it, really bothers me. I used to believe that whatever bad happened in the world, there were intelligent people in our government who would work together to protect us. That's why they were sent to Washington. They were thoughtful, logical, experienced men and women who could put their political differences aside in order to do whatever it took, and we would be safe. I hate that I no longer believe that. The brutality of people towards one another is epidemic, and our elected officials somehow manage to ignore it and concentrate on petty differences between parties and their own interests. It makes me sad, and I'm afraid for our children and all of us, everywhere. It is shameful that our nation will not do better, cannot be better.

I had lunch with my two beautiful granddaughters yesterday and soon after I got home, I heard about the shooting in Nashville. I was sharply reminded that it could happen anywhere, to my grandchildren or to me, and I felt terror and anger. It is past time for this to stop. I hope that somewhere, very soon, a solution is found. My heart goes out to all the parents, grandparents, husbands, and wives who have lost their loved ones so brutally, so unnecessarily.

This video came today from Cousin Ora in Rhode Island. Spring is coming soon, and hopefully or nation's problems will eventually be solved. Be safe, everyone.