Despite recent snowstorms and a good chance of more this week, the weather today is great and the huge nursery parking lot is full. Looking at the calendar, I'm certain the Wasatch Front is nearing the end of spring snow and the beginning of more popular weather. (Snow skiers are in the minority by now.)
In a flash of family-history curiosity, I pulled out my parents' letters from Nauvoo, Illinois, which were typed and handwritten in the late 80's. Janath Cannon, accomplished writer and hard-working missionary, found time to type this on March 31, 1988, describing signs of spring there:
"March is going out today like a somewhat shaggy lamb, with mild air but a threatening rain. ... Yesterday was lovely here. The squirrels, cardinals, woodpeckers, bluejays, blackbirds, and assorted other birds patronize Ted's tree-side feeder in ever increasing numbers. We have plenty of corn for them -- we shoveled up several boxfuls from a bunch that was spilled on the road to the grain elevators. Some tulips and violets are showing promise in our yard, and the grass is turning green all over the park. Barges rumble past our front yard again and occasionally tie up by the granary."
"Gorbachev the Cat has become a wanderer and sometimes fails to come home at night. Ted frets a little about that, and leaves the porch light on to entice him home. (I think Ted misses that warm body on his chest during the morning news.) But at least it's not like worrying about children still out after midnight."
"... Nonie and Maynard Sorensen are settled in. The woodcarving studio is set up in the basement of the Cultural Hall and Maynard is scheduling evening classes open to the public, as well as his regular tour for tourists. Nonie is working on her new production."
As usual, Mother closed with a handwritten P.S.: "We hope you had a lovely Easter, ... Please excuse our fractious xerox machine -- at least the computer and I are getting along these days. Love you all, ..."
