We are so proud of him! He’s always been into service, both in church and home. As a senior in high school, he plans on becoming a helicopter pilot, hopefully with LifeFlight. As a member of the Guard, he will be eligible for help with the cost of his flight hours, which are quite expensive. David had the same plans, but we couldn’t afford the flight hours even though the VA would pay for his college. On Sunday, we went to Duluth to the airbase of the 148th Fighter Wing to see Mason sworn in. Wow!

Meanwhile, back home, Will has been busy, hauling in those 16-foot pine logs he and friend, Matt, bought together. Our half made two trailer loads on the big equipment trailer. As our driveway is in breakup mode, muddy with some ice, I wondered how that would go. But it was all uneventful and they are now across from the sawmill, right in the yard. Will and Drew got the sawmill running and sawed a few boards, just to make sure everything was okay before getting into those big logs. There’ll be a lot of very nice lumber there!


I got all the peppers transplanted and moved out into the greenhouse to grow on. Next is the tomatoes, followed by the pansies and petunias, which look great. It won’t be long before it’s time to plant squash, melons, pumpkins, and cukes inside. This year, I’m starting them in the greenhouse to eliminate all the running out to the back deck and in again, should the weather threaten to freeze like it did last year. That will be a big labor saver, for sure. Will heard a Red-winged Blackbird today. Yep, spring is definitely coming soon! — Jackie


Got our first red-winged blackbird today. With the drought many are taking a chance planting early but there is a killing frost called for on Friday and most likely even more after that. What few plants that are out there early are flying off the dealers shelfs. Our cherry bushes are just going into blossom but are small enough we can cover them with tarps. Looks like it’s going to be a rough year.
Oh boy, I was hoping for a year better than last. Will heard a Red-winged Blackbird but I still haven’t heard or seen one yet.
I try to hold off planting early as I’ve always found I had trouble doing so from cold soil or severe frosts.
How wonderful!! I know you and Will are so very proud!!
Yes, we are. Will is a Vietnam era Marine Corps veteran so going into the service is special to him.
Jackie,
Do the juncos spend spring and summer at your place? I sure do miss them. They left here last week–central MO.
They’re here in the spring and early summer but usually move on north later in the summer.