The mom of the house requested a morning walk, and off we went to see if the ducklings had hatched. They had!

The bull frogs were out, too, making our backyard Chorus Frogs seem tiny by comparison.


The beavers, they have been busy.


They keep this up, we’re going to have to rename Nutriaville to “Beaverville” or “Beaverton” or something.

The roses never stop blooming around here.

And the poppies are in full bloom.

Happy Mother’s Day to all!

This is more like it for spring. Trilliums in bloom.

Mushrooms popping up.

Snakes catching rays.

Bullfrogs on the lily pond.

The most snow we’ve seen at the new place in the two years we’ve been here… and it’s on March 22!

“Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.” –National Weather Service

About an inch so far, and it’s still coming down! We might get our first snow day of the year… just before Spring Break!

A lesson on electromagnetism turned into a toy boat building activity. It always points to magnetic north, unless a big magnet comes and leads it astray.

To make a compass at home, you’ll need: a magnet, a sewing needle, a slice of wine cork and a pan of water. A compass for reference wouldn’t hurt, either.

1. Magnetize the sewing needle by rubbing with the magnet, always in the same direction and with the same pole of the magnet.
2. Carefully push the needle through the slice of cork.
3. Float it on a pan of water.

If your needle doesn’t swing to the north (or south, depending on which end is which pole), check to make sure there are no metallic objects or magnets nearby. If it still doesn’t work, you may need to spend more time magnetizing your needle.

When you get tired of watching the needle swing to the north, decorate your little boat, and use your magnet to pull it around its little pond.

Through the fog, the light exposes the truth.