I last posted early in February, when. my little Nuthatch appeared and disappeared. Since then I have seen Cardinals and mostly sparrows.

Yesterday, I did my annual rotation of the table so that it faces the patio door. I get up, open the drapes and sit with my morning coffee and face the deck and the backyard. This mornings’ visitors include chipmunks and squirrels. I can hear birds, but I haven’t seen any yet this morning.

The day is overcast and drizzly, but it is in the low 50’s…nothing to sneeze at in February in northern NJ.

Our Community Garden sign-up was last week and although I have been a member for ten years, this year will include a number of firsts: my partner of the last nine years moved away and so, I will be without her. My fiancé will be joining me in gardening, as we expand our partnership to another area. Third, I will be moving to a new plot. I am hoping to visit the new plot and begin planning its layout. Soon after that it will be time to start some seeds to get ready for our May planting date. This year I hope to make one section a cutting garden, I love flowers and growing some of my own would make me smile. Even thinking about Spring activities makes me smile. Long before planting time we will be cleaning up the plot and adding some topsoil to make it ready to receive the seeds and plants. I am getting excited just thinking about it.

On Monday, I had lunch with some of my friends. It was our first visit to the Windlass this year. It was sunny and beautiful. Just looking at the patio swings made us all long for the warm weather when we can happily swing while gazing at the lake. Did I mention that I love living by the lake? Well I do. 45 years and still my happy place!