MErnst

2009 is OVER! And not a moment too soon! 2009 was a hellish year, one of the most bizarre and packed and expensive and hectic and one I'm down right glad to see end. There were lots of good times and some bad but just so much going on that I had more to do than time to do it in. Job searching, home repairs, heavy work schedule once working, and lots of every day things in the way of doing all the things I really like to do. The Holiday season was the worst of it, and while I always enjoy that time of year it was hard to really enjoy. Here is hoping I have a better 2010.

Less than ten days ago I was up to my armpits (literally) in snow and ice and as if someone threw a switch winter has almost completely vanished. There are small areas of ice pack on the ground where the sun hasn't fully melted them away yet, but the snow drops and crocuses are blooming and the leafy vegetation of Irises, Day Lilies, Daffodils etc are growing in leaps and bounds. The buds are starting to open on the Lilacs and the tree lines are once again appearing fuzzy with the budding of leaves. Of course there's the opposite side of that as well where I'm cleaning all the debris from the ice storms off the lawn and gardens, but winter is