Finally spring is bustin’ out all over — and about time, too.  It’s been long, snowy winter.

With still about a foot of snow everywhere except the sunniest fields, there are little mossy patches appearing around the bases of some of the trees.  An opossum came round to see what was there, looking a little shell-shocked from the winter.

The precipitation of the summer has continued this winter with a bumper crop of snowstorms.  The roads have been icy (and occasionally strewn with abandoned cars), and the views have been stark gorgeous.  All the winter critters seem to be enjoying the snow — coyotes were out yipping my last evening in the woods, a barred owl hoo-hooting, deer beds and tracks of all sorts everwhere.

The snow has been drifting pretty high — I was waist deep on my last walk — and in places it’s formed  a crust that’s strong enough to walk on…. mostly.  The mossy areas are all full of crunchy needle ice (easily as much fun to walk through as crisp fall leaves), and in addition to the usual cavalcade of icicles there were also a bunch of really interesting snow formations draped over branches like crepe streamers.   I’ve never noticed them before.  Anyone know how they’re formed?

Lots of neighbors turned out at the barbecue in the newly refurbished Roe-Jan Park to help raise money for the new library.  The park is sweet, featuring great community gathering spots, nature walks, a playground, and super views of the Taconics.  The library will be right across from the park, and some of us took time out from chicken and potato salad to walk across the road and enjoy a preview tour (some of us put the time to equally good use, acquiring both brownies and ice cream for dessert).

This year April showers brought May showers, and June showers, and July showers, and August showers… there’s been mold, mosquitoes, and terrible blight on the tomatoes, but the showers also brought a whole host of wonders, including a full Thaddeus house.  Eva visited with her husband Michael and TWO children — Ben and Ana.  Somehow she’s managing to find time to travel, even while raising two children — and a school.  Her charter, Cien Aguas, opens this month!  Michael T. was also up for TWO consecutive weeks, and while here was here, he put on an impressive demonstration of tree-climbing technique.   Contrary to recent reports, he is NOT an astrophysicist, but his recent round in the media spotlight doesn’t seem to have diminished his prowess in the least:

I was quite impressed by the climb, and have been thinking about giving it a shot myself, but I’ve been busy down here on the ground with all the mushrooms that have sprouted in the rain.  One of the nice things about having Eva visit from dry ol’ Albuquerque is that she really appreciates the precipitation — and the mushrooms.  If you do as well, visit my ever-expanding mushroom album).

The last time I was up the trees were just beginning to bud:

I imagine the catkins are all out now, but I haven’t had time to visit — I’m getting married this weekend!  We’re heading up to Hillsdale after the wedding for a pre-honeymoon, and I’ll try to post some nice spring pictures.

Cheers, everyone!

The Hilldale Hamlet committee is sponsoring a flea market, Saturday May 23,  to raise funds for local beautification projects.  They’re accepting donations, so keep them in mind if you’re planning to do any redecorating this spring.  Contact info is HillsdaleNYFlea@gmail.com or (518) 325-9891.  Here’s the link to the Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=51036803425&ref=ts

Today’s the official first day of spring!  The snow melted and revealed a LOT of birdseed strewn on the ground under and around the feeder.  Apparently those chickedees are sloppy eaters.  Anyway, about fifteen or twenty turkeys showed up to help with the groundswork.  No more seeds!

Noah Reibel reports that the Independent is folding, or rather, being folded.  You can read more about it in the Register Star.  Noah notes, “This heartbreaking news …  should be a lesson to small papers who sell to corporate owners.”  I’m really going to miss the local coverage.  Anyone who knows the editor Parry may wish to send him a note.

Thanks for Valerie for suggesting Local 111 as a great restaurant possibility.  I haven’t been there, but it’s right nearby in Philmont, and the menu looks great: Warm chicory salad with bacon, squash and beets, date cake with sherry zabaglione and cranberry caramel, and even fish and chips – yum!  They’re also open for breakfast and their website lists daily specials.

While you’re over in Philmont, a hop and skip will take you to High Falls, managed by the hardworking people at the Columbia Land Conservancy.  Maybe it’s no Bash Bish, but it’s a wonderful place for a hike, maybe to work up an appetite before dinner.