From this window - 4/4/12

Today is a picture perfect spring day.  It's a balmy 62 degrees, light winds out of the south, the grass and trees sparkle from last night's rain, the crabapple tree is in full and glorious bloom, birds are singing, especially the Brown Thrasher in the woods and life is good.  All the windows are open, Rio is singing in the living room and the bluebirds have been back to check out the birdhouse several times this morning.  They'll be getting ready to nest soon so fingers crossed that they use our bluebird house.  If they do, you will share that journey with me.  Carl is clearing the deck and gazebo in preparation for power washing and staining.  He found our first grey tree frog on the deck today and nearly stepped on it.  The toads are still in the skimmer; we don't have tadpoles in the pond yet even though we have had lots of toad eggs.  And I have a HUGE, did I say HUGE? bouquet of lilacs on the island in the kitchen - unheard of for this time of year. AND, AND the best sight of all?  Our crabapple tree is covered with honey bees, yes, I said "honey bees".  You can stand under the tree and hear them and I can see them from my window.  It's been years since I've seen more than one honey bee at a time and we have dozens.  I might open a bottle of wine for dinner in celebration.  If you don't understand why that calls for celebration, read this.  There are several really good documentaries on Netflix about the disappearance of the honey bees.  Scary stuff.