First Cut

Another dreary weekend. Like last weekend, continuous rain.

Luckily the rain held off long enough for me to be able to mow the front lawn and clear up Cotton tail Corner. In Cotton Tail Corner I was surprised to see the two Bleeding Hearts I planted in July had not in fact died.

Of the beds, the Prairie Sun Garden requires my attention. As does the Rock Wall Garden. Although the latter is in better shape than I anticipated.

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This evening Arianna will be serving dinner to the elderly along with her fellow Brownies. She will make people smile, I'm sure.

Snowy Egret (or is that Great White Heron)

Third day of cold, grey, wet weather.

But . . .

As I drove past Lake Sharon -- er, the pond -- this morning I was astonished to see it brightened by more than a dozen majestic looking birds. Pure white birds. Larger than the typical contingent of Canada Geese. Snowy Egrets? Or were they Great White Herons? A Blue Heron does in fact make the pond a routine stopping place. However the Egret is known to breed in the lower Great Lakes.

My ignorance aside, it was an extraordinary vision of loveliness that made me want to reach for my camera.

We are so blessed with being allowed to live in this neighborhood.

Long Division

The blessings of fatherhood are many to be sure, but it is always more than a bit disconcerting to recognize one's own unsavory character traits in one's child. The stubborn streak that is getting the best of Arianna while she is learning long division is a sad reminder of my youth. Hard knocks has dulled that streak in me. But just try explaining that to an 8 year old.

More Spring Snow . . .

. . . and the deer (?) are eating the young leaves of tulips!

Northern Illinois. It aint known for the way in which it welcomes Spring.