Annual Renewal Notice

For SherWords' readers in the snowy climes of Maine, Michigan, and New Brunswick (to name a few if not all), I am happy to tell you that relief is on the way: spring has sprung its notice here in Ft. Harrington, and will be wafting its way to you posthaste. It says here.

This afternoon I took a little stroll around the compound and snapped these shots of things sprouting, budding, and blooming in the yard (click on any image to see a larger version):

Lilac...

... plum (with buds looking remarkably like tiny Brussels Sprouts)

... peach ...

... apple ...

... and jasmine sprouting brand-new, so briefly-red leaves.




The camillia trees have been blossoming since last month, but they're just now hitting their full stride, producing a wealth of blossoms too heavy for their stems, which fall on the deck with an audible PLOP at all hours, in...

... white ...

... red ...

... and pink.

The spaniels, hard at work watching me this afternoon.


In another sense of annual renewal, today was Diane's and my 17th wedding anniversary, which we celebrated with dinner at the Shadowbrook Restaurant in Capitola (or "Capitola-by-the-Sea" as its chamber of commerce would like -- just to make sure, I suppose, that we don't think it's Capitola-by-the-Forest or Capitola-by-the-Reactor.)

The most enjoyable way to reach the restaurant's entrance is by a steep cable car down from the parking area.




Delightful place, delightful meal, and a delightful 17 years.






And in yet another sense of renewal, and in yet another delight, Diane's older son, Ryan, and his wife, Christel, are expecting their firstborn, a daughter, next month.

Alnitak loved the cradle we got for them, and was not happy when we took it away to the baby shower last week! (This photo was taken last Saturday, and is the only one in this post not taken today.)

Happy renewal, everybody!

=============================================