A Season of Celebrations

Spring was rather slow coming to Farm Dover this year -- but, without a doubt, it is here now in full force.

In less than a week, our woodland glades have gone from a soft carpet of lush green maché, violets, chickweed and ground ivy to a knee-level tangle of tiny white wildflowers, mayapples and cleavers that love to stick to my overalls. Every tree but the walnuts has issued its buds and new leaves, casting dappled sun down to the forest floor.

A pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers has taken up residence in the top of an old ash tree towering just above my Girl Cave. From my garden, I can hear the lovers calling with a series of hard-to-describe drills, churrs, chatters and screeches. I'm guessing that their cavity already holds a clutch of baby woodpeckers as the parent birds are constantly darting out for tasty bugs, seeds and fruits to take back to their young ones.

The Baltimore Orioles are back at our orange feeders and dipping their beaks in a hanging jar of grape jelly. The male, one of the most brilliantly colored songbirds, is hard to miss with his flaming orange and black feathers. The female is smaller and mostly olive colored. They provide great entertainment for us as we watch them from our study window.

The daffodils have come and (mostly) gone. The viburnum continue to bloom – sending wafts of spicy-sweet perfume into the air – and the peonies are just about to burst open. Yes, spring is definitely here and we are definitely rejoicing in its arrival.

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As part of our Spring rejoicing, we celebrated Easter on two consecutive weekends -- one here at Farm Dover with an egg hunt with Hazel and Norbert; and one in Brooklyn, with Mary and Brian. 

While in New York, we got to meet our newest granddog: Rita, a rescued galgo (Spanish Greyhound). She joins Saltie (also a rescue) as the most popular citizens of Red Hook (Mary and Brian's neighborhood). They are two lucky dogs. 

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And more celebrations...

Spring also brings a plethora of birthdays in our family: two daughters, two sisters, two nieces, two friends -- so lots of jubilation fills our lives.

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Some sadness too...

Friends are sick and struggling. The war in Ukraine wages on. We worry about the climate and future life here on earth. I miss my friend, Karen... But we are reminded that every day is a gift and we must rejoice and be glad in it. We are trying.