Two and a half days of driving, one day of unloading and putting everything away, a day of washing and cleaning, and we’re almost back to normal. In case you’re wondering, normal is a lot more work than just going on adventures with friends. π
So, how did we know when we arrived back in New England? We stopped at a Massachusetts Gulf Station/Dunkin Donut Shop for coffee. I opened the door, and every employee and customer was belting out Sweet Caroline. I probably stood there with the door open for a minute because I could hardly believe it, and then I just had to chuckle – only in Red Sox Nation.
It’s the second of April and what do I see when I look around outside? There are some snow banks, some bare ground, and a lot of branches of every size down. What’s my first gardening chore going to be – picking up branches and sticks. The second will be rebuilding our new raspberry support because the neighbor’s downed branches destroyed it.
I’ve been looking outside and contemplating how many days it will take to pick all the branches up while I’m finishing my granddaughter’s quilt so it can go to the long-arm quilter. The top was completed in SC, and now I’m putting together the back.
So, as I’m ironing the quilt back, I look out and see a neighbor across the street. I can’t figure out what he is doing, and then I notice – he’s raking his snow. I guess he’s trying to spread it out so it melts quicker, but even I wouldn’t rake snow. Shovel it off my plants – yes. Rake it off the yard – heck no, reminds me too much of fall chores which I dread. π
Wishing you a lovely first week in April. We’re looking at temps in the 30’s and four out of five days of rain and snow showers. Here’s hoping April showers bring May flowers.Β π·
Glad to hear you arrived home safely. I wouldn’t rake snow either, but then it doesn’t last long here:^)
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Raking snow? I don’t even like to rake leaves! Enjoy your spring!
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Exactly. That’s why I took the photo because I didn’t think anyone would believe me if I said a neighbor was raking snow. π
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Glad to hear you’re home safely and settled back in. I could relate to your chore of being up branches and sticks. My back twinged in sympathy. For me it’s pine cones – and unfortunately it’s in an area I can’t rake so they have to be picked up by hand. UGH. Stupid tree.
At least my yard is pretty small – and I suspect yours is quite large.
No snow here though and I hope it stays that way!!
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Yes – no cold weather in April. Or so I wish. π When I go out to pick up all those sticks, one of my tools for the small things like pine cones is a pick up tool so I don’t have to bend down every time. Mine is an older style wooden one, but the box stores sell the metal ones to get things off high shelves or pick up things from the floor. It helps my back. π
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Brilliant! We have one of those around here somewhere! Why didn’t I think of that?
Now I just have to find out where it is.
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What’s a rake?
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Great question, and I wish I wasn’t familiar with that particular tool. π
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Well is it just me? I love the idea of everyone in the store singing Sweet Caroline. Maybe they heard you were back and planned a show just for you.
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I know – it’s a hoot isn’t it. We were so thrilled to have sailed through Hartford that we wanted to celebrate with a coffee. So glad we stopped there because it still makes me smile. π
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Welcome home and welcome back to New England reality! Hubby keeps going outside with ice chopper to “break up the big chunks so they’ll melt faster”. Why? Neighbors don’t touch theirs and their piles melt away faster than ours!! Lol.
Snowing here to beat the band. Already have 2+ inches. π‘ Mother Nature is really getting on my nerves now. Same forecast as yours for the rest of the week. Sigh……
Hope you don’t overdo it. Love Suzanne’s comment: WHAT’S A RAKE? ππ
πΉGingerπΉ
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Yes, there is no such thing as a winter rake. π Hope the snow shuts down before there is enough to move. Mother Nature has really kicked us in the butt this year to remind us who is in charge of weather, and it certainly isn’t the talking heads on the TV.
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And we all know what May flowers bring—Pilgrims! Sorry, I couldn’t resist this old chestnut from when my girls were small. Welcome back to northern New England! We, too, have a lot of sticks to pick up. Just waiting until the ground is firm enough so that I can walk on it without squishing through.
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Thank you for the chuckle. I immediately had a visual crossing over the Piscataqua Bridge on a Saturday morning and thinking there couldn’t possibly be anyone left in the state of MA because it looked like they were all headed north to Maine. π
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Glad to oblige!
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Welcome home! A long trek, but well worth the escape from winter in NH! I love the raking neighbor, even as I shake my head. Our neighbor to the left gets most of the snow plowed from our cul de sac on her front lawn. She’s out there every year, smacking it with a shovel and pushing it into the street. In a week’s time, it’ll be gone anyway (I hope!) so why bother? Guess old age has been effective in gifting me with patience! – although I’m very anxious to see your quilt when it returns from the long arm process!
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Yes, patience does seem to appear as we age. Worst of all – it is snowing to beat the band here right now. Mother Nature has one warped sense of humor. π I will take some photos when it comes back. I just put a grand piano with piano keys on the back side. I could have used your artistic skills to freehand that piano. π
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Welcome back to winter…..
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And, here I thought I was coming back to a second spring. π
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I am tired of hearing the furnace run. Going to take a spring cruise and wait for May!
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Next year we are heading south for the winter – but after experiencing this spring, we are not returning until May. We do not expect to see the 40’s until late next week.
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Last year, we stayed Jan and Feb and came home to a wicked March snowstorm. This year, we stayed, Jan, Feb, and Mar and we’re still getting flurries in April. I want spring. Anyone listening out there? π
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Welcome home, Judy. In case you were homesick for the snow, we arranged one last (it better be last) snow storm for you. Nothing heavy, it won’t last long, so enjoy it while you can.
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I really, really appreciated the quick ride through Hartford. The snow, Maddie can keep. π
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Have never heard of raking snow before! Not surprised it confused you!
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He’s actually done it in previous years, and it always confuses me. This time, I decided to get a shot of it. π
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My neighbour has spread snow chunks on road for fast melting. I forgot to take his picture. Believe me it’s very annoying when one has to pass the road so often moreover the melted snow gets freezed during night making the road very uncomfortable to walk. Anyways would love to see the quilt when it is done.
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Mother Nature sends the snow, and she will melt it also. I will post a photo of the quilt when it is done. π
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Glad you made it home safely! We’re getting close to playing Pick Up Sticks here, too. The children hate that day, but I always like it.
I do not rake snow. That sounds like the absolute least fun thing to do with snow. lol
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Finally, something you don’t like about winter – raking snow. π
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LOL! Also, when it’s negative with bigger wind negative it bites your eyes. I don’t like that. π
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Welcome back! Glad you made it and LOL about the “Sweet Caroline” song. I do like that song. π
I really am ready for May Flowers!
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We had a few inches of snow this morning. I believe everything and anything.
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Welcome home! I Loved the image of you finding everyone singing ”Sweet Caroline” in the Donut/coffee shop. Everybody has been waiting for you to bring on spring!
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Aww. π It was truly one of those special moments in a lifetime. If I’d been five minutes earlier or later, I would have never experienced it. It was fun for sure. π
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If your neighbor starts shoveling leaves you will know he’s gone round the bend. Welcome home.
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I’m going to keep an eye out for that. π Thank you for the chuckle.
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Raking snow! LOL that’s a good one. Glad you made it back safely !
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Oh, I hope we get to see the finished quilt when you get it back. How exciting. I’m almost finished a crochet blanket for my younger daughter and am doing the border now. I’d like to have it completed while I’m on school holidays.
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Be sure to show us. π
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I’ll post a photo on Instagram π
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Welcome Home! Yes, spring cleanup must be done, hopefully in small bites. π When I was much younger, I had energy to spread snow around, but not these days… I’m content to let Nature melt it on her own!
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Yes, Mother Nature will eventually take care of the snow. I remember the days when I’d go out and pick up all the downed branches in one day. Not anymore. I spread it out a little. π
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I hear ya! We go from hare to tortoise. π
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First thing I had to do this morning was to check the map to be sure Indiana was still there. I thought it might have been blown off. Yesterday we got clobbered, and it’s all probably on its way to you now. Fortunately, there’s no one out raking snow. What a welcome-home you had — that’s so sad about your raspberry support. And, yes, too true that unpacking isn’t as much fun as hanging out with friends. Can’t wait to see that quilt!
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Good thing I haven’t hauled off those branches yet, because I think I’m going to have plenty more to join them after this wind descends. π
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I’m sorry to say I agree. Batten your hatches.
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Welcome north, Judy! I’ve been picking up limbs, too, and we’re supposed to get gusts of 50 mph today so I anticipate more! I love the Sweet Caroline story–I keep a video on my phone that I took at Fenway during the 7th inning stretch!
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I can only imagine when Neil Diamond wrote that song, he had no idea how it would become so popular and associated with a baseball club. π
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Seems to be a poor excuse for an April from New England to the Great Plains.
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Think I’m going to love your blog. I’m a would-be New Englander living ing the mid-west. We still have snow flakes flying today and guess we will through the beginning of next week. Raking snow is a new one. Even mom didn’t do that, though she was pretty picky about her lawn. Loved the story about the gas station. Yes, only in New England. Haven’t been there for awhile, really missing the culture.
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Raking snow?!?!?
I wish you good luck with all your yard work!
I too will have that when I return to the Lake House!
Glad you are home safe!
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Welcome back to New England, Judy! I am anxious to get the “Spring party atmosphere” back again! π
Woe, to the branches! I’m already feeling your “pain,” so to speak. Especially the sad disarray to the raspberry support system. π£
I love Neil Diamond and it is so cheery to hear the song, “Sweet Caroline!” My oldest daughter is named Caroline Marie. π β€οΈ
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