No. 53, March 2008
Journal
The Week Before Easter, 2008
by Delores Miller
Still we have big snowbanks around the farm. Some days the temperature gets above freezing, but spring is still not here. Easter is this Sunday, the first Sunday after the first full moon after March 21. Really is early this year with the full moon being on March 22.
We are expecting all the children (and dogs) to come home, except Richard's family from Massachusetts. The Easter bunny will come with colored eggs and chocolate bunnies. Marianne may have an Easter egg hunt, if the weather is not too bad. Many church services will be held.
We have been cleaning the out buildings - the pig coop, the chicken coop, the barn and the granary. At our age, we do not know how much longer we will have the strength to tackle dirt and junk. We burned old scrap lumber that has been multiplying. A pile of nonburnable junk the garbage man took.
Keith and Matt both have old automobiles and motorcycles tucked away in the sheds, we hope they disappear one day.
Soon.
So when Russell and I were in the chicken coop, he was upstairs in the loft, and I was sweeping the concrete floor, we scared up a huge raccoon. It was upstairs, and climbed down a hole in the wall and scared me into screaming loud and long. Russ couldn't figure out what was wrong. I was worried it would bite me. But it just lumbered off behind some junk. We set out fly poison, they supposedly eat that and die. We don't want baby coons.
So it was St. Patrick's Day for the Irish. We are not Irish, but I do like the corned beef and cabbage. Russell can't stand it, especially the smell. But he did let me get a big roast, and I baked it, with carrots, onions, cabbage and potatoes. Had enough for six meals, so that should satisfy my appetite for the next year.
Even with this cold weather the birds are back - the robins and other song birds, the wild Canadian geese are flying over, squawking about the frozen lakes and no open water. The Sandhill cranes are back too.
Daylight savings time began March 9, it is still dark at 7 a.m. And cold and snowy.
Marianne's twin's birthday party was March 8, about 15 little girls came to the movie 'Alvin and the Chipmunks' which was very good, then had pizza and birthday cake. Cassidy was sick one day, couldn't go to school or day care, so I sat with her all day and we watched cartoons on television.
Dancing once a week, the volunteer musicians really get wound up, last night there were six accordions, plus drums, tuba, coronet, key board and guitars. Lunch after, big variety, we couldn't even try every thing, our plates were too full. And many desserts too. Had sleeted in the morning, didn't know if they would cancel, but then the temp got above freezing so everything was set to go.
I really enjoyed my visit with Cousin Ellie in San Marcos California, especially the warm weather.
Robin has a bunch of students in Scotland now over spring break visiting an occupational therapy university. In turn students from there will come to LaCrosse to job shadow and visit schools.
All the news for this time, keep in touch
copyright Russell and Delores Miller, 2008