Just a week ago some white patches now all gone |
I had posted photos onto Facebook of a local home where the owner adorns the barren branches of her shrubs with plastic Easter eggs. I admire her ambition which produces a pleasant colorful sight in contrast to the unbudded brown branches of her shrubs. And then farther along the street stop to admire our wide open streets, little traffic in this small midwestern town this day, other folks are out walking their dogs and one young boy dribbles his basketball on his way to shoot hoops at the elementary school lot.
Elm Street La Crescent |
The city is in the process of removing many of the old ash trees around town, replacing with different varieties to avoid tragic infestations from the emerald ash borers, larvae of which may have frozen out over our severe winter. Perhaps that was one good thing about a long hard freeze. It worries us, we may have to remove two or three of our stately older ash trees on our property. We will have an arborist check them again soon, two years ago they were good and so far we have avoided the bug but experts tell us there is no escape. Such a shame to lose those stately antique trees but we like other locals do not want to experience the misfortunes of this epidemic.
Old nest high up in the tree |
I noticed a left over nest clinging high atop one of the trees along Elm Street and marvel that it had the tenacity to stay put all winter long, a testament to the bird or hawk that constructed it. Soon green leaves will adorn the limbs and shade the walkways below.
I spotted my first 2014 hopscotch along the way and could not resist jumping it. There was no sign of the children who drew it, I assume girls because we were the ones to delight in this in my day. Posted to Facebook it elicited comments of not having seen these since our own childhoods and how children today especially in California are most unlikely to know what hopscotch is. I became curious about it's origins now. It was a taken for granted activity growing up in Pennsylvania where we chalked up our alleyway. although I do not remember having colored chalks such as are available today.
Hopscotch in La Crescent |
One last tidbit,yesterday we saw the neurosurgeon who scheduled Jerry's back surgery for April 16, a hemi- laminectomy and microdisectomy which is minor in the grand scheme of surgeries and expected to be a breeze, performed under anesthesia but at the outpatient surgical center. The surgeon said Jerry is a prime candidate, physically fit or he was until this set back, healthy and not overweight and not a smoker. So we anticipate positive outcome from this surgery which will involve a minor one inch incision on his back which will be glued, no disc replacement, no metal rods, no muscle cutting and his full recovery should be swift, a month or less. This is the best news in months and he is really anxious to hit the road in our motor home. The surgeon is a youthful new doctor coming down form Mayo in Rochester, MN who explained everything so thoroughly that I had no questions at the end of the consultation. Relief is imminent for him now which he welcomes, has been a long siege these past months.
Spring has arrived here as well with lots of the usual lawn nuisances sprouting: ourple henbit, chickweed, birds eye speedwell and also some buttercups and wild onions. Grass cutting is on our Friday plans before the rains come on Sat. Daytime temps are in the 60s and near 70s and 40s at nite.
ReplyDeleteGood news about Jerry's upcoming surgery as I know you are anxious to get on the road again in your RV.