Spring?

Not long ago the piles of snow where so high I couldn't see over most of them. The lower portion of the view out of our living room windows was blocked. It seemed winter had come to stay. You know that "global warming" is a misnomer, don't you? We're really supposed to say "climate change." And this winter "climate change" was making it's case in a big way (still is if you live in NY or VT!).

But where there were once minor mountains of the frigid stuff, now trash liters the sides of roads where the mounds were. Around trees where broken branches and limbs are testament to the weight they have been under, water pools, indicating the high level of saturation. And rain is in the forecast. About this time last year we had some of the heaviest rains seen around New England in years. Let's hope we don't have anything like that again...there will be where for it go. I hear the sump pump business is booming.

I recently read where someone called the end of February and the beginning of March "the fat branch season" because if you look carefully, you can see the branches starting to bulge with the promise of new growth. Tiny buds are bravely facing the howling March winds, promising to appear on what a friend of mine calls "pop" day...that great spring day yet to come when it seems all the leaves and early flowers POP out all at once. Beware that you are not so busy that you miss pop day!

A recent signal to me that winter's days are numbered and spring is on its way is an annual quilting retreat. Once again we gathered for stitching and laughter. I did spend one day of the retreat sewing, but the rest of the time was spent in the satisfying pursuit of beading. I completed several necklaces (one of which, in my humble opinion, is one of the best pieces I've made yet) and four bracelets. I sold one necklace and made a matching pair of earrings to go with it. I have orders for 3 bracelets in specific colors.

Beading is very gratifying!

TBH