The Ides of March 2020

Today's walk through The Acres. Still crocus and orchard iris and Lenten rose. Different ones from last week, but lots more of them are popping up here. One new variety--squill.

Beginnings 2020

And so it begins.  Lots of crocus of different colors.  Aconite always one of the early bloomers.  Lenten roses have begun to bloom--finally.  And the first orchard iris.

Snow Day February 27, 2020

Snow day. Not much being accomplished--I didn't bring any papers home because I was at the Lady Warriors' game last night. Impressive victory girls. So, no papers to grade. (Not that I would have wasted a snow day at The Acres by grading papers--but it sounds like a legitimate excuse. Right?) A couple walks were in order, but that's not work. it is cold--temps may not be real low, but the wind is biting. To be expected, of course. The Creator likes to spread His nice warm blanket over the earth before He sends some winter cold. It has continued to snow off and on all day out here in Morrow County. Lovely. Right now, in fact, it's snowing quite heavily.
Mixed signals on spring's arrival. Primrose bloomed. Yellow violets it seems have re-seeded themselves and are blooming way up near the house. Other things are coming up and looking around, but not adding to the beauty yet. I imagine the snowdrops and aconite will be next. I'm surprised the Lenten rose haven't bloomed yet. Crocus won't be too far behind--and the orchard iris. Spring is coming--but only when it wants to. Feathered -friends-wise mixed signals, too. The red-winged blackbirds are back; there's a hint of gold on the finches, but tons of snowbirds feeding today, and the male cardinals are still tolerating each other.
It has just been a lazy day. Homesteader and I have been bird watching. Watching it snow. She does have to charge the doorwindow on occasion. Hey, she's a cat. And I did have a nice long chat with my sister Janice. Thanks for the prayers. She seems to be in good spirits, notwithstanding her disenchantment with her arrogant heart doctor. Oh, I got a little reading in too.
I was, of course, already up and ready to depart when the snow-day news reached me. That's what I get for believing Ben Franklin. "Early to bed, and early to rise" and all that stuff. Not a problem. Sat in the darkness with the Boss, watched the beauty of the snow, then shoveled a place and put down the first catering service for my flying friends. They are probably delighted that I"m home all day. More food; same price.
Anyway, a perfect day for the old hermit. Up early. Enjoying God's art work. Bird watching. Catonese lessons. Reading. Walking. Talking with Jan. Work, work, work. It takes a lot of self-discipline to do nothing all day. What's the forecast for tomorrow?

Beauty January 25th, 2020

it was not a deep snow yesterday at The Acres.  Yet, it was beautiful.  Wet--it stuck to everything.  When I came home last night in the dark it was luminous--the car lights reflecting of its whiteness magnified by the dark.  Once it warms up, it will all be gone.  But i will have the memory here.  A late January snow that made The Acres wondrous.

Closer than you think

Things are closer than you think. Finally, the last couple of days have been cold--winter cold. The flowers and shrubs need a little winterizing if they are going to be glorious and hale when their bloom time gets here. I've had traces of snow several days in a row up here--one day was ice and snow. I don't mind. I like it. A few more cold days will be appreciated. You see, things are closer than you think. The pussy willow by the pond is already lovely. Others will follow soon. A pink primrose by the house has been blooming for a week or so. In less than a month I expect the snowdrops to make their appearance by the house, in the trees, under the Ancient One--the old red maple along the driveway. Some of the Lenten roses should be blooming by then as well. And maybe some yellow aconite. Spring is coming. In one month blooms will be here. Early March then--five weeks--the crocus will start to show off. The daffodils will be close on their heels. Hold on to your cameras folks--it's closer than you think.

Sciency

Well, my "teaching" day is done. Grading. Yuk. Who came up with the idea that it was legitimate to put a numerical ranking to somebody's work? Must have been a tech guy. It was Ice Capades getting home last night out here in the hinterlands. Cars in the ditch. Things are still icy this morning. The feathered friends are even more active today. Probably drive Dumb Animal even more insane.
Please don't leap to any conclusions about my lack of scientific knowledge--it's a whole lot worse than you think. I did fine in physics in high school because of the math. I could do that. Otherwise . . . I guess I could fudge and claim that my flower and tree "expertise" and record keeping is kinda sciency. Maybe? Anyway, here's my question for 2020--and it may not have a thing to do with science. Why in a leap year do we add an extra day to February? Why not June or July? I mean, I'd rather have another warm day than another cold day? Illogical logic, I know. But then, what do I know? Well, God has some great plans for this year! Can't wait for that! Have a Joyous New Year! One year closer Home or one year closer to His return. Both of those I can live with--for eternity.

Wanting

Did you ever just want something? It's not like it's gourmet or even remotely close. It's just something. Maybe working a bit in the rain and chill breeze made ti seem the one thing I had to have no matter what. And since you've had this same urge before in your past, you assume there must be some of it in the pantry, cupboard, or whatever you call it. But, of course, since you've have had this urge before on rainy days--it's all gone. Then, comes the crisis moment. Four options: Option 1: Forget about it. Option 2: They probably have some at the gas station/market. Option 3: Drive into town and get it; then, drive all the way back, "cook" it, and eat it. Option 4: Wait a couple days until you need other stuff and then go buy it.

Option 1--Yeah, right
Option 2--If the gas station market has it, it's probably 20 years old.
Option 3--Time and gas just to feed an urge for the simplest thing? Makes no sense. Don't be stupid.
Option 4--Reasonable--practice a little self-control for once in your life. I'll probably be in town tomorrow and definitely Sunday so just wait--be a big boy and wait until it makes more sense to go to town to buy what you're craving along with some other stuff you actually need.

That hot chicken noodle soup sure tasted good--tonight. (and i did one genius thing--i bought two cans)