What a difference a week makes....

 April 5, 2026

This morning, Easter Sunday, although overcast, there are periodic glimmers of sunshine! The birds are very vocal. What do they know that we don't? Robins, Red-wings, and particularly Nuthatches are at full voice this morning for the first time this spring. A harbinger of things to come!!

The past week seems to have sped by in a blur of overcast skies. Last weekend was cold and windy, and one wondered if it would ever be over, but milder temperatures mid-week enabled us to chip the ice off of the walkway, and then over the last couple of days and nights there has been lots of rain making the snow piles diminish very quickly. 

Early last week, when we visited Garrison Petawawa to view the river from the lookout, I wished for long johns, as the wind was whipping across the frozen Ottawa River here with a vengeance. We needed cleats on our boots to navigate the ice and hard, frozen snow to get to the top.

 We visited the Petawawa River to see the falls and rapids, and had to again have ice cleats on our boots to get anywhere near enough for pictures. The river was trundling along as usual, but I sure bet it will be roaring this morning after the few days of melt and then rain we have had. 

Over the last few mornings, we have happily observed the water level in the pond creeping ever upward. The 'turtle log' has re-emerged, although still locked in ice. The ice pan has floated up on the influx of water.

The garden beds are clear...yeah!,

but there is still lots of snow in the bush and on shaded north-facing areas.

It was a good week for indoor activities. I finished a springtime-coloured scarf/shawl that has been on the needles for a little while.

The pattern was a mindless knit called Reyna, and the fibre is an hand-dyed, 80/20 merino/nylon blend from the Okanagan in B.C.

I thought the wool carders that everyone borrows from the Community Centre needed protection, so with some 'sheep-themed' fabric, did a little quilt sandwich, and sewed on some velcro closures. 

In a bag made out of old jeans, lined with some thrifted fabric, they should stay safe and protected. 

Hopefully, very soon, there will be more outdoor things to do!