4/2/26  "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." John 13:34

 Clouds, 28 degrees.  Clouds today, high 41, an ENE breeze.  Freezing rain tonight, low 21.  Rain and freezing rain tomorrow morning, showers in the afternoon. A stiff south breeze, high 41, low 33.  Partly cloudy Saturday, a strong NE breeze, high 44, low 33.  Occasional rain Easter Sunday, a south breeze, high 44, low 34.  Partly cloudy Tuesday and Wednesday, NW breezes, highs about 42, lows 25 and 21.  Sunshine Wednesday, a NW breeze, high 42, low 28. Partly cloudy next Thursday and Friday, highs about 55, lows 23.  A SW wind Thursday, a brisk NW breeze Friday.  Clouds Saturday the 11th, a brisk SE breeze, high 53, low 41.  Partly cloudy Sunday the 12th, a NW breeze, high 58, low 40.  possible am showers.  Rain Monday the 13th, a north breeze, high 52, low 36.  Lots of clouds Tuesday the 14th, a NW breeze, high 53, low 36.  Morning showers Wednesday the 15th, afternoon sun, a WNW breeze, high 54, low 38.  Partly cloudy Thursday the 16th, a NW breeze, high 55, low 35.

   We never did get all of our spring cleaning done. So we're cleaning the house for Easter. We are planning Easter dinner.  And  the Easter egg hunt.  Baby chicks arrive today.  Bekah has the brooder ready.  The greenhouses  get more demanding every day as the plants grow and need more TLC.   So many finches and evening grosbeaks the bird feeders need to be filled twice a day.  The cream is on the counter warming up to make butter. We find ourselves rushing through each day.    Maundy means mandate, Christ told the disciples "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." John 13:34.  Am I rushing so to get the daily to do list done and to get ready to celebrate Easter that I'm missing the point?  Today I will look for ways to love others as Christ asked his followers to do.  Tonight I will take time to attend Maundy Thursday church service to help me remember how Christ loves us..

   May your day be blessed, Sally


A note from our Pastor:
   It is tempting to rush through our journey during Holy Week.  We want to arrive swiftly to our destination, the celebration of Easter morning.  But there are important stops along the way.  Maundy-Thursday with its message of transformational love, Good Friday with its theme of atonement, mixed-in with our personal times of reflection between now and Easter morning.  No, we’re not there yet, friends.  Let’s not rush the trip.
 

4/1/26  Advice is like snow, the softer it falls the more likely it is to dwell.

 Showers, 32 degrees.  Cloudy today, a stiff NNW breeze, high 46, low 27.  Partly cloudy tomorrow, a NNE breeze, high 44, low 3.  Rain Friday, a stiff south breeze, high 41, low 25.  Partly cloudy Saturday, a stiff NE breeze, high 43, low 33.  Rain on Easter, a south breeze, high 46, low 35.  Partly cloudy Monday and Tuesday, brisk MW breezes highs 45, lows 28 and 22.  Sunshine Wednesday, a north breeze, high 41, low 27.  Sunshine next Thursday, a brisk SW breeze, high 51, low 35. Some clouds next Friday, a SW breeze, high 56, low 38.  Partly cloudy next Saturday and Sunday.  A west breeze Saturday, high 56, low 38.  A south breeze Sunday, high 54, low 40.   Rain Monday the 13th, a strong SW breeze, high 58, low 38.

   Yesterday's snow/ rain forecast lasted about 30 minutes.  No icey rain last night.  A good thing, I have a doctor's appointment in Sangerville at nine.

    Bekah has everything almost ready for the chicks.  They are supposed to come tomorrow.  Hopefully they do, they always do better when they don't come a day late.  The old hens are responding to the longer days, they are laying lots of eggs.  500 plastic eggs arrived yesterday to be filled for Sunday's Easter egg hunt.

    May your day be blessed, Sally

     

 3/31/26  If He cared enough to redeem you, He cares enough about what burdens you today.

 Cloudy, calm, 38 degrees.  Rain/snow this morning, rain showers this afternoon.  Rain tonight, freezing rain overnight.  A brisk NE breeze, high 39, low 31.  Clouds tomorrow. a brisk north breeze, high 43, low 26. Partly cloudy Thursday, a NE breeze, high 42, low 31.  Rain Friday, a brisk south breeze, high 43, low 37. Mostly cloudy Saturday, a NE breeze, high 43, low 35.  Rain on Easter Sunday, a south breeze, high 49, low 38.  Partly cloudy next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, NW breezes, highs 48, lows 36.  Partly cloudy Thursday the 9th, a West breeze, high 50, low 33.  Partly cloudy the next  four days, SW breezes, highs in the upper fifties, lows about 39.

  On its way out winter is throwing some snow and freezing rain at us. Hopefully Friday's forecast of all rain doesn't change.  Bekah and Doug are delivering early, rain/snow isn't supposed to start until late morning.  The forecast says the plants can be moved to the little greenhouses and the cold frames just a few days later than usual.  

   I started a four day bee class yesterday.  Jay says one of our two hives made it through the winter.  The last few years I've had allergy problems.  I'm making sure I get a tablespoon of local honey each day, which is supposed to help.

   Saturday, April 4th. there is a memorial Service for Annabelle and Aydan's mother, Danielle at our church, Corinth Methodist.  If you would like to send Annabelle and Aydan a card they get their mail here.  1204 Main Road, Bradford, ME  04410.

   May your day be blessed, Sally

 3/30/26  To nurture a garden is to feed not just on the body, but the soul.

Cloudy, gentle east breeze, 30 degrees.  Some sun this afternoon, high 58. a light SW wind.  Clouds tonight, a NW breeze, low 35. Showers tomorrow, possibly heavy rain later in the day.  Some snow may mix in early.  A NE breeze, high 39, low 32.  Showers Wednesday morning, perhaps some afternoon sun.  A brisk NW breeze, high 48, low 26.  Cloudy Thursday, a NE breeze, high 42, low 30.  A wintery mix Thursday night and Friday morning.  The mix changes to showers Friday afternoon and night.  A SE breeze Friday, high 37, low 31.  Cloudy Saturday,  high 42, low 33.  Light rain on Easter, a SE breeze, high 44, loww 36.  Partly cloudy Monday the 6th through Monday the 1th.  The only chance of showers in the forecast is Saturday the 11th, 40%.  NW breeze next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, highs about 47, lows about 29.  A west breeze Thursday the 9th, high 47, low 31.  Westerly breezes the next four days, highs in the fifties, lows 37.

   Bekah has been seeing bats.  Some species of Maine bats migrate south in the winter, others hibernate. It seems too cold for the hibernating bats to be up and moving.  Bekah looked it up, when spring is prolonged bats come out for water.  Hopefully with warmer temperatures some insects will hatch.

   I grow quite a few things in containers.  I didn't get them cleaned and sanitized last fall.  During the next few weeks I will use a stiff brush to take off stuck on dirt.  I'll wash them and rinse them with water with some bleach, about a fourth cup to a gallon.  Saturday the kids cleaned the baby chick waterers and feeders.

   The large flock of blackbirds has moved on.  We have a few red winged blackbirds singing in the swale.  They come scratch through the sunflower hulls under the feeders  looking for some that still have the meat in them.  Doves are ground feeders, they haven't left much for the blackbirds. Tfe female red-winged blackbirds  haven't arrived yet.

  The snow is gone, Jay will be able to clean up the area the Coast of Maine soils and compost go.  Soon we'll be getting a call asking if we are ready for delivery.  May your day be blessed, Sally

 3/29/26“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” — Luke 19:38

Sunshine, calm, 19 degrees.  Becoming overcast this afternoon with a strong WSW breeze, a high of 42.  Cloudy tonight, a low of 28Morning clouds tomorrow/afternoon sun.  A light SW wind, high of 58. low 34.   Showers Tuesday  and Wednesday, significant snow on Good Friday.  Friday's forecast changes every day.
    Holy Week begins quietly… with palms waving, hearts hopeful, and a Savior walking steadily toward the cross. This is the week that reminds us: God enters our lives not with force, but with humility. Not to avoid suffering, but to redeem it. Before the resurrection comes surrender. Before the victory comes love poured out.

    Looking forward to bare ground tomorrow, may your day be blessed, Sally

 3/28/26  Make each morning the opening door to a better day than the one before.

Clear, calm, 10 degrees.  Some clouds today and tonight, a NNW breeze, high 31, low 19.  Mostly cloudy tomorrow, a strong SW breeze, high 41, low 28.  Mostly cloudy Monday, a strong SW breeze, high 55, low 34.  Rain Tuesday, a NE breeze, high 40, low 36.  Rain Wednesday, a strong SW breeze, high 51, low 26.  Partly cloudy Maundy Thursday, a north breeze, high 42, low 25.  Snow showers Good Friday, a NNE breeze, high 39, low 27.  Partly cloudy next Saturday, high 43, low 34.  Rain on Easter, a SE breeze, high 49, low 38.  Rain Monday the 6th, a brisk WNW breeze, high 50, low 33.  Mostly cloudy Tuesday the 7th, a brisk NW breeze, high 47, low 26.  Partly cloudy Wednesday the 8th, a NW breeze, high 47, low 32.  Rain the 10th and 11th, brisk NW breezes, high about 52, lows about 36.

     One more cold day!  Except for Good Friday the snow has left the forecast, and that is now snow showers instead of 1-3 inches.  I'm hoping the forecast of rain holds true.  Our sump has started running once in a while.  Usually it runs frequently this time of the year.  The dry ground is sucking up the snow melt.  Monday's warm temperatures should melt ant snow  that hasn't been blown into a pile by the wind.  I'm going to put ice melt on the back deck this morning so I can safely go out the back door..  Jay fed the birds yesterday and the girls have been chasing the new cat out of the kitchen garden.  The old cats know that is the place where they get hit with a stream of water so they stay away.  The new cat needs to learn.

    Yesterday they finished transplanting sweet and hot peppers into 3 and 6 packs., 108 trays.  That comes out to about 4000 pepper plants! Every year Bekah has started more pepper plants and still sold out.  She increased again this year, will she sell out?  Next come the marigolds.  She has always sold out of them too.  Even though she starts a second crop after the tomatoes.  They have planted trays of celery and herbs too.  With all the flowers it is no wonder both  greenhouses are almost full.  Warmer temperatures are arriving right on schedule, flowers that grow strong root systems in cooler temperatures can be moved to the hoop houses and cold frames.

    May your day be blessed, Sally

 3/27/27  When you let depression or anger take over for one minute you lose 60 seconds of happiness.

 Partly cloudy, a variable breeze, 28 degrees,  A strong NNW breeze today, a high of 33.   A brisk NNW breeze tonight, low 9.  Partly cloudy tomorrow, a NW breeze, high 28, low 17.  "Spring" begins Sunday with clouds, A SW breeze. high of 40, low of 28.  Sunday is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy week.
Partly cloudy Monday, a SW breeze, high 53, low 31.  Rain Tuesday, some snow may mix in early, an east breeze, high 44, low 37. Rain Wednesday, a brisk NW breeze, high 53, low 26. Partly cloudy Thursday, An ESE breeze, high 39, low 25.  Morning snow showers Good Friday, 1-3 inches of snow Friday night.  A NE breeze, high 40, low 26.  Clouds Saturday, an ESE breeze, high 42, low 34.  Cloudy Easter morning, off and on afternoon showers, showers Sunday night, some snow may mix in.  A south breeze, high 51, low 38.  Morning sun Monday, the 6th, a brisk NW breeze, high 50, low 31. Partly cloudy Tuesday the 7th, A NWN breeze, high 47, low 27. Rain Wednesday the 8th, a north breeze, high 45, low 29.  Cloudy Thursday the 9th, a Brisk NW breeze, high 49, low 34.  Rain Friday the 10th, a south breeze, high 53, low 36.

    Yesterday's warmth melted enough snow for me to be able to use my walker outside.  My grandchildren have been taking care of the hens, I didn't do well in that slush.  I'll be happy to head out to care for the hens this morning.  As chilly as it is I'll be happy to get back inside!  I remind myself that this cold spell will make the sap run next week for the maple syrup people.

    When I pick up the chicks next week I'm going to get some alfalfa meal for my roses.  Pure meal, no salt.  I'll remove the mulch, work in some meal around the bush and water it well.  Then I'll put the mulch back and prune any dead  stems off.  This has been a hard winter, I'm hoping I don't have to prune a lot.

     A very large flock of blackbirds came in yesterday.  The field across the road was a shimmering black wave that spilled over on our lawn.  There is no sign of them this morning, just the local red winged blackbirds.

     May your day be blessed, Sally