First Day Of Skunk Cabbage

Day 146: Happy First Day of Skunk Cabbage to all my readers! Okay, it's a rather sad offering, but considering the fact that in two hours, four inches of new snow fell in my yard (and it's still coming down as I write this), I'll take whatever I can get. Some of you may recall that the First Day of Skunk Cabbage is one of the important dates on my personal calendar. It's a moveable feast for obvious reasons, but seldom has it occurred quite this early. Since it is dependent on the timing of my own first observation of Lysichiton americanus, a lot of different factors come into play. If it hadn't been that I had an appoinment for a hair cut this morning, it could well have occurred next week instead. I braved the snow to venture into Flatland and, since I was already out, decided to check my Nisqually Land Trust beat. The compulsive litterer had been at it again, leaving me at least one full pickup-load of construction debris. Feeling rather downhearted by the find, I started home via a different route, and was passing alongside a debris-filled ditch when a wink of yellow caught the tail of my eye. A quarter of a mile later, I found a wide spot in which to reverse direction safely. Yes! There were my beloved Skunks, putting in their first appearance of the year. The sight of them turned my mood around. Spring is here, snow or no.

Border Security

Day 123: Whether clueless, curious or defiant, the number of people who think these signs do not apply to them have necessitated the stationing of a State Patrol officer at the junction of SR 706 and Hwy 7 in Elbe. I got out just fine, but in order to return home, I had to show identification before I was allowed up the road. SR 706 is a mess of limbs and trees fallen like jackstraws, downed power lines and work crews labouring valiantly to restore power and phone service to residents of the upper Nisqually Valley. Hwy 7 has its share of trees across the road, but the major obstacle there is an accident involving multiple semis which has yet to be fully cleared away. That said, my portion of the road is clear. My power has stayed on, although it's fluttered a few times (probably as crews change over the service from one line to another). I still have internet. And I have enough milk to last me into the next decade, thanks to Kevin and another friend who, lacking any connections, didn't get my morning message. A new supply of cat food has been laid in for the Fussy Eater, and my library book stack has been replenished. If the snow flies again as well it may, I'm ready.