Spring...Maybe

I have been missing in action the past month.  Sorry!  Chalk it up to a combination of writer's block, too many neighborhood commitments, and a trip out East.

A month ago our "Fire Committee" turned in recommendations for the future of fire and emergency medical services for Presque Isle Township.  This area of local life is fraught with political intrigue and personal grudges going back, for some folks, to middle school.  My group managed to keep its nose above the political sewerage and give the Township Trustees some sensible guidance in an area no one thinks about until you need it.  Perhaps the township worthies will actually take our advice!

Two weeks ago I traveled to Boston for the installation of my friend Mark Edington as rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in Newtonville.  It was a wonderful event, and a great, if much too brief, opportunity to catch up with Judy and Mark.  St. John's is a most interesting parish, small in numbers, but large in readiness to live out the gospel.  I hope to go back later in the year, God willing.

Finally, spring has arrived in Presque Isle!  After so many sub-zero mornings and snow which would not go away, even briefly, we are actually enjoying some days in the mid-50º range!

Most of the snow is gone, as so is much of the firewood!

My daffodils are up about two inches as of yesterday.

Yesterday I installed my patented Deer Discourager —
signs from the 2012 election.  This worked last year to keep
ravenous deer from grazing off my tender daylily sprouts.

But winter is not done with us yet.  This afternoon we'll have some rain, and perhaps a thunderstorm overnight.  Then tomorrow, Sunday, we are supposed to get more snow!  I'm wagering the ice on Lake Esau won't be gone until very late in the month. •••