ECLIPSE DAY 2024

Imitation Cherry Tree 2024 -- not full of blooms

I couldn’t believe that millions of people would get on those broken-down airplanes and travel from all over the world to see the eclipse. Someone described a total eclipse of the sun as “life-changing.” I have a certain appreciation of it, but tell me I have to endure crowds in order to participate, and I’m not much interested. And I already know what a truly life-changing event looks like.

“Are you going to look at the eclipse,” Mike asked.

And I thought of that time in the fourth grade when Mrs. Peer told our class that we should never look at the sun unless we looked through two black and white film strips. Then it was safe, she said. I wasn’t so sure. I decided then and there to avoid looking directly at the sun. So, no, I didn’t look at the sun even to see a partial eclipse. I thought the sunlight seemed a little duller than usual, but Mike said he didn’t even notice that. Here in the West, the eclipse was a fizzle, but then, we expected this.

The cherry tree in April 2023

The imitation cherry tree is not going to be spectacular this year. The blossoms developed too soon owing to a warmer winter when we saw little variation in day and night temps. This signals spring to the vegetation, and the blossoms develop too soon. Then we had another spell of lows at or near freezing, and with that, the blossoms failed. Brother Chuck tells me that leaves withstand the cold better than the blossoms. We even saw frost in the Valley this week. It remains to be seen if we have fruit on the farm this year. I reminded Mike that once the apple trees bloom, we must spray them. KW

SPRING DROUGHT

 

Tuesday (April 2), we went to the farm, trailering the lawnmower. I forgot to report on our last visit that the lane didn’t wash out this year. The work last fall paid off.

The new nozzle for the kitchen sink didn’t arrive even though we expected it. That’s a story in itself. Thinking it would be delivered by UPS, Mike had the order addressed to the farm, but instead of delivering it, UPS dropped it into the post office. Our farm mail delivery is suspended until May 1, so we were unsure if it would be forwarded to the town house or returned to sender. Fortunately, our mail lady delivered it yesterday.

So, Mike will fix the kitchen faucet on our next trip, but he did install a new flapper in the downstairs toilet before commencing to spray the weeds that grow up the center of the lane. This is a time-consuming project and involves climbing on and off the 4-wheeler.

My time-consuming project was feeding the gopher holes in the yard. The gophers have been busy expanding their underground highway. I kept finding more holes! And we had four large mice in traps in the house. The Great Rodent War 2024 is on!

The daffodils are in bloom, and I was glad to see them. The strawberry plants also look good, and I pulled the pine straw off of them so that they can enjoy the sun. Well, it was a pleasant spring day while we were there, but now we’re having another spell of winter.

A solitary Canada goose was patrolling the pond. I suspect he was guarding a family hidden in the reeds because he wasn’t intimidated by our presence. He even warned Bess with a hearty honk, and Bess barked back but moved off.

Before we left, we planted a few rhubarb roots that a friend gave me. I’m skeptical that these will grow. At the farm, my established rhubarb plants are barely making a showing, but my friend in town is already pulling healthy stalks.

Note dry ground

I tell you what, though – it’s already dry. It’s early spring and the pond isn’t overflowing into the spillway and it’s dry under the clothesline. It’s early to be so dry and doesn’t bode well for the summer. The newspaper reports that parts of Clearwater County are already in drought, and I can believe it. We could use some of that moisture that’s falling in abundance in other regions. We’ve had some rain this week, but it’s never enough. KW

UPDATE – MILO WARNOCK

Just an FYI: A new video on YouTube titled "Milo Warnock - Rest in Peace" addresses prison issues as well as events leading to Milo's homicide. Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QpmHtvXBL0

We have received word that the ISP investigative report has been submitted to the Ada County Prosecutor, but apparently they requested further investigation.

Other investigations relative to Milo’s case are continuing.

Just this morning, we approved the design for Milo’s headstone (monument). Burial of his ashes is scheduled for May 25. KW

HAPPY APRIL FOOL'S DAY

A postcard from the early 1900s

 

A JOYFUL EASTERTIDE TO YOU AND YOURS

 

GOOD FRIDAY GREETINGS

It’s a lovely sunny day – at least, it is right now. Typical of March, the weather has been alternately cold, warm, blustery, and overcast / rainy – sometimes all in one day. The billowy white clouds are beautiful in the blue sky, or in the next moment, the sky turns a dark gray.

Good Friday always feels special to me. It seems to include a deep expectation. This year is no different.

I noticed yesterday that the artificial cherry tree next to the west side of the town house is beginning to bloom. The early daffodils are in bloom, while the later varieties are getting ready to open. Yard work beckons.

Two weeks ago, I planted vegetable seeds in peat pots and set them in the kitchen window. One of the summer squashes and a tomato are sprouting as I write. I hope the others will follow suit. Some of my seeds were saved from other years, and perhaps they won’t sprout. There’s always “Plan B” – buy plants (or buy new seeds).

I made hot cross buns today – a Good Friday treat. Breadmaking isn’t my strong suit, but on Good Friday, I make hot cross buns. It seems like my creative efforts fail as often as not, and I discovered after mixing the dough that I had left the butter out. I just ran another knead cycle, and the end product is acceptable. KW

HEARTY EASTER GREETINGS

These Easter postcards, likely from the 1910s, were my dad's. 

We still have no investigative report regarding Milo's wrongful prison death. It seems very quiet now. We await next steps. 

Thank you for thinking of us. KW