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Last summer we were thrilled to have bog-front seats as we watched a couple of Great Blue Herons raise their chicks. After a stormy winter, the nest was completely gone, but the herons have rebuilt in the same spot. We hope they continue to have a productive spring.

We devoted Easter morning to the annual cleaning of the barn, which involves sweeping out the prior year’s accumulated birdshit so that the Barn Swallows can enjoy tidy accommodations for the coming season.

Yesterday Daisy climbed Burger Hill with her husband, Ringo. These days, Daisy finds it easier to climb the hill than to get in the car, but she is always happy to see Ringo.

Daisy turns 13 tomorrow but she still gets the zoomies.

Ring-necked Ducks on the pond remind that, even if it is cold and gray, it is springtime.

Whatever picaresque charm this mobile home ever possessed is fading.

It is very cold, even by February, upstateish New York standards.

I mean really cold.

Not everyone seems to mind.

Here’s Jen out in the woods, stalking the elusive Barred Owl.

We had a glimpse of the owl, but we got a much closer look at these ferocious creatures of the forest, who appear to have wandered over from the Vlei Marsh trail.

We had a quiet Christmas holiday, with just the three of us and Jen’s parents. Sarah ably performed her elfly duties, and Daisy found a soup bone in her stocking.

Sarah gave Jen these beautiful pressed ginkgo leaves from Strasbourg.

She gave her grandfather a pen and notebook, where he can record his inner thoughts.

Rinda received an Aerogarden from her Secret Santa.

And Sarah, exempt from Secret Santa limitations, was showered with an array of gifts.

Friday night brought a big snowstorm. Lew, for reasons best known to himself, decided to park here.

On Saturday we pursued winter sports. Jen went cross-country skiing.

And I went snowshoeing. Merry Christmas to all!

We had a happy Thanksgiving dinner with the family.

Geoff brought his strong pie game, with sour cherry (center), blueberry (left) and cranberry (right).

Jen’s hickory pie will always be my favorite, though.

Julie & Stacey

Erica

Geoff

Lew

Rinda

Jen

Sarah

Daisy

Here are Jen and Daisy planning for the coming Thanksgiving holiday. Just off camera is Sarah, knitting companionably.

There are many chores to be completed, including the annual Storage of the Tubers. Jen has collected about 250 dahlia tubers, so next year should be a colorful one.

Sarah, visiting home for the weekend, surreptitiously took this photo when we visited Vlei Marsh this afternoon. We saw a Bald Eagle but it didn’t stick around for long.