March... In like a lion, out like a lamb.... hopefully

It's hard to believe that it's the end of the month already. Weatherwise the month has been miserable. We've had snow in Colebrook every day since the first of the month. Will spring ever arrive this year? Because of the weather, we haven't been able to do any of the out of house projects we normally do. Heating up the garage with the wood stove is a waste of firewood, because our heating season might drag out longer than expected and we don't want to have to bring in another order of wood. It's miserable stocking wood with snow on the ground.

My health is everything but what I want it to be. On the plus side all tests and biopsies report either no cancer or pre-cancer, so that is a blessing. I'm just waiting for warmer weather... 50°F would be nice... so I can walk around the yard and get some exercise. I know I'll feel better then!

Hubby is rolling with the punches. I know he's not feeling that great himself but he keeps chugging along, despite the aches and pains of a bad back and arthritis. So much to do and now he's back to having to do it alone. Life just isn't fair.

He just finished a brick repair job on a small wall in the house that cradles our firewood. A task that he really wasn't looking forward to doing. It came out quite well. He designed the bracket and had our local metal shop cut it out for him. 

Smoothing the edges of a 1/4" thick metal bracket.

Ready for installation.

Repairing the break.

Wall restored and bracket in place.

No dummies here.
If that wall goes down, the chimney is going with it.

All done. Just a little bit of cleanup once the mortar is fully set.
Great job Honey!!!

MARCH ~ In like a lion, out like a lamb

Marching into Spring! 

Waiting for the temperature to warm and for the first crocus to pop its head above the snow as an indication that Spring has arrived. Daytime temperatures are running between 47°F – 58°F. We’re experiencing some rainy/snowy days with a few days of sunshine in between. We’ve still about a foot of snow on the ground and cleared paths are now becoming muddy with the thaw. Not a pretty picture yet, but we have hope!

The first day of Spring brings with it the celebration of the birth of my son John-Paul. I’ve special memories of the births of all of my children but the memory of John’s birth always gives me a chuckle. His Dad left me at the hospital to tend to delivery matters while he tended to getting my two daughters settled in with their Grandmother. When I called home to announce the birth of a son, he asked. “What did you name her?” I said John-Paul. He responded, “Really, what did you name her?  I said, “Really, we have a son and I named him John-Paul after his Grandfathers.” After having two girls it was hard for him to believe that he had a son.

Happy Birthday John! May we celebrate many more Springs together!

John-Paul and son Mikey