Bob, Mom and I have just returned from visiting Thicut on a sunny Palm Sunday afternoon. Bob cleared some of the pine/hemlock branches from the sides of the road while Bets checked on things inside the house and Mom enjoyed the sun from Bert, the car. The outside temperature is about 45 degrees F. 

All is fine: the pond water is melted, the snow is gone except for piles by the road. Inside, the plants are eager for spring, they seem perked up with the sunny weather. I sprinkled the planter that sits in the dining room fireplace in hopes it will wake up soon. As I came towards the basement stairs from checking the oil tank (still just over a 1/2 tank), I saw from the corner of my eye and heard a noise just where the wall meets the ceiling at the bottom of the stairs. The snake (or mouse or ??) is evidently still enjoying the warmth inside the house! 

Some snow/rain predicted for tomorrow!