Bob went down today to check on Thicut: the lawn needed to be mowed after the wonderful rain from last week. However, Johhny Deere didn't start again. Battery dead. Bob jumped it with our (new) Bert battery. (another story: Bert died in Pratt/Whitney parking lot after work yesterday, AAA supplied us with a new battery on the spot - not free ). I guess, we'll have to spring for a new Deere battery now...
Anyway, the lawn is mowed, indoor plants watered, lilacs blooming, the small rhododendron by the fruit tree near the field is completely eaten by deer! House looks fine.

Bob and I went to see if we could 'jump  start' J. Deere. Success! Bob mowed the yard, but high enough so that the beautiful purple violets are still visible. The trees are still tightly budded, but a haze of green promises leaves sometime soon! Speaking of green: the pond is that color too. I still didn't see any fish.
We spent some time pruning out the forsythia; I followed Jenny's advice and cut from the bottom and didn't give the bushes haircuts as we do in Gbury... I think you all will be pleased with the results! There's a bit more room to hang clothes, but still the drape of yellow flowers (soon to be green leaves). There has been no rain to speak of, yet tulips, and daffodils and the forsythia are in beautiful bloom. We may need to water soon if we continue to get no rain!

Bob and I did some spring clean up of the yard. Not much debris, but cleared some leaves from gardens and dead brush from front garden. J. Deere's battery won't start, expected since we never started this winter... Next visit will bring battery charger and see if that fixes it. Lawn not quite ready to mow...

March 30--
A wonderful family gathering for Eric V.'s memorial. Cousins from all sides, friends from near and far. Masters/Whitesides stayed at Thicut for reminiscences and ashes scattering. Rainy and cool outside, but warm and cozy inside.