It’s finally happened. It has rained enough to put some water into Whiting’s Pond. The Weather Channel has announced that we are no longer in a drought. I couldn’t be happier. Last spring was very dry followed by an unusually hot, dry summer. I am hoping for berry bushes and fruit trees to actually produce something.

Years ago, I planted a mixture of Pickwick, Flower Record and Jeanne D’Arc crocuses. They are striped purple, dark purple and snow white. Talk about a statement. Recently, they were covered with honey bees. Crocuses are short lived but make a hopeful, cheerful announcement of spring.

This weekend, Palm Sunday, seems to be the retail kick-off to a new season.

I made my first actual planting into the open ground. I transplanted some onion seedlings and a tray of Early Jersey Wakefield cabbages together in the same bed. I pretended that the onions would protect the cabbages from pests. As if.

I’m busy trying to use up last summer’s harvest from the freezer. I tediously removed the skin from a quart of Fava beans. Combined with caramelized onions, boatloads of garlic and my own kale, they complimented some sweet little Allen Farm lamb chops. Can life get much better.

I have a barn cat who lives in a shed in my big vegetable garden at a location far fro home. I keep his kibble in a wicker chest. I use a five-gallon bucket of lime to keep the drawer closed.

The other morning I discovered a raccoon had moved the bucket (which has to be about 30 pounds) and clawed open the drawer. He ate the entire five-pound bag of food.

I’ve mentioned repeatedly how much I loathe raccoons. Nothing has changed. Think about how scared the poor cat must have been. I think it’s the same culprit who stripped and ate every single ear of corn last August.

I am particularly fond of the Tete-a-Tete daffodils. They are a mere four inches tall and completely adorable. Heather Gardens has quite a few. They spruce up a doorside pot alongside some violas and can be popped into the garden bed afterwards to live on forever.

Years ago Russell Hoxsie gave me some of his bee equipment. I came across it the other week and found a case of honey. It was at least 20 years old. I gave it to my friend Sharlee to feed her bees. Her husband, Jack, a quick wit, says she has the Backwards Bee Company. She doesn’t get honey but gives it.

I hate it when I don’t know everything. There is a ground-cover weed blooming purple right now. I want to know its name. Help anyone? It is covering the bank on the left heading into the drive-thru at M.V. Savings. It’s very nice with daffodils.

I spent last Tuesday’s rainy day transplanting tiny seedlings into larger containers. For some reason it’s an enjoyable task for me. I use reading glasses so I can see to separate the miniscule roots. I am still working on perennials — calamintha, echinacea, oriental poppies and foxgloves. It’s remarkable how many seeds are in a package. I save each and every one. I hate their little lives to be in vain.

I’m so depressed about DJT rolling back some of President Obama’s regulations on fossil fuels. I am so careful concerning my footprint on the Earth. I take the world’s shortest showers, do not leave the water running ever, even while brushing my teeth, try to avoid excessive packaging, combine car trips, and generally consider myself a good steward of God’s creation.

I have often quoted my favorite little poem from the World War II era: Use it up, Wear it out, Make it do, Or do without.