There is generally a point, during any Minnesota winter, where local residents begin to wonder if it will actually ever end. Not every year, but quite often. At first, as winter begins, the snow is “pretty” and the cold is “refreshing” while it’s also nice that the mosquitos, geese, and other pests have all left or are in hiding. But once it’s late February and then into March, if the white stuff is still piled high and the thermometer is refusing to cooperate, it gets to be something we’re all collectively “over” and all we really care about is spring.

Greetings from Woodbury, Minnesota. It’s a very special day, in numerous ways. While I was gone cat-sitting on Kauai, almost all the snow has melted. Not the super huge piles created by the plow guys in our front yard, but the back yard is 100 percent clear. It’s 53 degrees. But, the first thing I noticed when I reluctantly got up this morning was the sound. It was the familiar song of the robins and blackbirds, who signal the return of spring each year with their own return. The blue jays and cardinals, and all the little finches, have had the place to themselves all winter. There’s also the honking of the returning geese, but I’ll choose not to go there. They should just keep going to Canada and be quiet. Finally, though, it’s Opening Day.

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Aloha, everyone. It’s another beautiful day in paradise, which is part of the reason I’m a day late getting this vacation blog posted. OK, it’s not really a vacation if you’re on an actual assignment, and that’s exactly what I’m doing here. It’s an executive position as the CCS (Chief Cat Sitter), food provider, vacuum operator, and fitness coordinator. Lots of long walks along the beaches, drives to beautiful areas, and companionship for Maxie and Biscuit.