Signs of Spring

The croci at Chris and Jonathan's house are going wild, like preschool crayons poking up amongst last years dead stalks of lilies, hollyhocks, morning glories, and other summer beauties. Little Ada's asleep on my chest, our neighbor has pulled out his taps, and the temperature is solidly above 40. But, this is what is says on the NOAA website:

Tonight: A slight chance of rain and snow before midnight, then snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. South wind around 6 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Friday: Snow before 2pm, then rain and snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 35. Breezy, with a northeast wind between 11 and 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.
Friday Night: Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 11pm. Low around 29. North wind between 13 and 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

The cliff notes are: predictions of 7 to 14 inches of NEW SNOW on April 1st, 2011! Is NOAA allowed to play April Fools jokes? Because if they are, that's what I think this is. Unfortunately, I think enough people's lives and livelihoods rely on them that they probably are NOT joking. And, I have to say, the sky is a bit overcast. I'm ready for warm weather, real spring, and more flowers. If they all get snowed over, I'll just sit in front of my computer watching this picture until things thaw out again:


The fruit of many weeks' labor, a few cords of wood, and the futile moving of sap from roots to twigs of a stand of noble sugar maples:


The beginning of our spring garden and winter CSA: thousands of onions and hundreds of leeks are starting to sprout. The celeriac, a slightly surly vegetable, has yet to show its cotyledons. Lucretia and Lân are on watering duty.


Lao and Gib picked up a roadkill deer and Seth and Graham butchered it for the tasty eating pleasure of the Yentes-Fulford-Etc clan.


Ada enjoying a new view from her own personal chair--and now I can eat lunch without covering her in food. Ada's doing splendidly well. On the same day as the first high-chair-sitting was the first pushing-up-onto-hands-and-knees.


And...Ada once again. Being a star.