A neighbor dubbed me the local phenologist, which means I note when things first appear. I also like to celebrate annual rituals. The juxtaposition of the two makes for wonderment.

For instance, I have been waiting to see the first blossoms of spring, which in these parts tend to be the mosses sending up their ephemeral shoots, which they did today. I also heard the first Great Blue Herons in their nesting grove.

I had the privilege of witnessing the apricot trees in my mother’s yard in New Mexico turn from barren branches to boughs of blossoms on March 25.

I try to travel to make her cake. A small return for all the cakes she has made me, and others, over the 89 years she has been traveling around the sun. I missed the past two years due to the pandemic, which itself is a first of sorts. This was my first foray into crowded spaces. I sailed through and landed safely.

To commemorate the years of absence, we had an extra celebration, and an extra cake.

My mother lives within walking distance of the Rio Grande. The river runs low this year. Wild mallards made the most of what water there is.

I live within walking distance of the St. Croix River. It has seen fuller days. I saw my first Bufflehead Ducks on their fly-by. About an inch of rain fell today. The river should be higher tomorrow.

Even though I left in snow on March 24, and came back to snow on March 31, yesterday I noted my garlic had sprouted.

Our first incubated egg hatched the evening I returned. Irene’s lip is bloody in this April Fool’s photo because we found her on the floor when we returned from the airport. She refused to use a walker before I left. This is her first acceptance of a mechanical assist. Our ADA efforts have paid off, as she can negotiate the bathroom and shower. She has a recurring malady that returned shortly before I did. We hope to get to the bottom of the problem soon and get her back on her own two feet.

Speaking of feet, Grand Girl #2 sprouted her bottom two teeth: all the better to nibble toes!

The Grand Boy learned to sit on his own in my absence.

My first surviving Grand Niece arrived unreasonably early on March 11. At 3 lbs, 11 oz., she wins the tiniest tot prize. She is a fighter and is expected to go home in days. When she arrives, she will have her first meeting with her Abuelo, my brother. Her name, appropriately, is Violet. We hope to celebrate her first appearance for many years to come!