3/5/25   First a howling blizzard woke us, / Then the rain came down to soak us, / Now before the eye can focus — / Crocus.

    The forecast of freezing rain didn't amount to much.  It's mostly cloudy now, calm and 32 degrees.   Showers this afternoon, rain tonight.  A SE breeze today with a high of 43.  A strong SSE breeze tonight with a low of 42.  Morning rain tomorrow with a strong SSE breeze, a high of  48.  A WNW breeze tomorrow night with rain and snow late, a low of 27.  Cloudy Friday with a  strong WNW wind, a high of 30, a low of 23.  Mostly cloudy Saturday with a west wind, a high of 28, a low of 16.  Partly cloudy Sunday with a WNW light wind, a high of 32, low of 14.  Partly cloudy Monday with a brisk WNW breeze, a high of 34, a low of 18.  Partly cloudy Tuesday with a strong WSW breeze, a high of 40, a low of 26.  Partly cloudy next Wednesday with a NW breeze, a high of 44, a low of 28.  Mostly cloudy next Thursday with a south breeze, a high of 47, a low of 32.  Rain showers and a wintery mix late Thursday night with a NNE breeze.  Morning rain/snow showers next Friday, then partly cloudy.  A strong WNW breeze with a high of 41, a low of 25.  Rain/snow showers, freezing rain Saturday the 15th with a stiff north breeze.   A high of 42, a low of 29.  Ice to rain/freezing rain Sunday the 16th with a stiff WSW breeze, a high of 44, a low of 26.  AM snow showers Monday the 17th with a light NW wind, a high of 38, a low of 24.  Partly cloudy the 18th and 19th with stiff WNW breezes, highs about 38, lows of 22.

   Yesterday's highlight:  Jay noticed the package of tags in the bed of the pickup where Fed x had tossed them.Not having the tags was making extra work as they planted the cuttings.  Legally some of the varieties have to have the breeder's tags in them.  But who would have thought to look in the back of the pickup for a package!  Highlight of the night: a  warmer temperature meant Bekah only got up once with the wood stove.  Tonight she probably won't get up at all.  Today will be another day spent in the greenhouse planting.

    Late yesterday we got an email from Jolly Farmer that there will be a ten percent surcharge on the rest of our plugs and cuttings due to the tariff.  Jolly Farmer greenhouses are just across the border in New Brunswick.  We are thankful they are not charging us the entire 25%.  The order was prepaid, now we'll owe money.

   I've been seeing articles about using pots of geraniums to control Japanese beetles.  The beetles love geranium petals and will choose to eat them over other plants.  There is a substance in the petals that paralyzes the beetles for up to 24 hours.  During that time they are easy prey for predators and some die of dyatration.  I'm certainly going to try that this summer.

   I'm getting a perm this morning.  When I get home I need to get the craft we are doing for Lent with the kids ready  .  I want it set out  by bus time as this is the first day of Lent.   A colored paper chain.  We 'll add a link every day.  Different things to do are printed on each link.  Today is "read John 11:25" . Tomorrow is "pray for someone who needs your prayer".  And so on through the 40 days of Lent.  Tonight is the Ash Wednesday service.

    May your day be Blessed.  Sally