Swallows Return – April 5, 2021

We may not be Capistrano, but the barn swallows return every year, and it is a sure sign that winter is behind us. Today, I saw the first swallow, which inspired me (in addition to reading the long range weather forecast) to bring plants up from the basement to their outdoor station. It also meant that it is time for my most dreaded task – opening the bale doors, which give the birds access to come and go when the barn is closed.

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It was unseasonably warm, so Jane and I rode earlier today. Harry had gone off to run errands into St. Louis county. The horses were well behaved, and the best news is that Jane felt she could see well enough to jump! She and Derry were flawless.

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Jane came back to ride Oisin, so I jumped Stone a little bit.

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Afterwards, Jane commiserated with Rosie about her bully brother, Roscoe, and I got a picture of them together along with the blooming peach tree, and a blossoming cherry tree behind them.

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The horses were happy back out on the grass. Trees along the edge of the woods around the pasture are starting to bloom.

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The first tulips are flowering. I planted tulips near the house last fall, because tulips, like day lilies, are crack for deer, so they never get to bloom once the deer find them. I’m hoping they won’t come too near the house.

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Hostas (disliked by deer, hooray!) are leaping up with the warm spell we are having. I haven’t seen any turtles yet, but I did see the first toad of Spring. Frogs have been around for weeks already, and their serenades sing us to sleep, now the windows are open.

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I was late with my blog this evening, because Harry was doing a Zoom play! His theatrical career was shaken last year, but he’s still at it. There were some connectivity issues that made the performance less than perfect, alas. But we have already heard some positive reports. Our internet service is very frustrating, as I can attest. Some nights I can zip through the blog, other nights, it’s torture. Most of the play, Two Old Actors Walk Into A Bar, by Gerry Mandel, was excellent. Watch for it to come to a stage near you when the pandemic abates!

Finally, today is my English cousin Fiona’s birthday. My younger cousin. Here we are, not so many years ago (only about 4 decades)… she has my 1980s big glasses on. No social distancing back then.

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Stay safe, stay well. Peace.