FINALLY, SPRING WITH ALL THE BLING

Still some snow in the woods but Spring has finally arrived. So the number of degrees and pictures are higher than usual...

All the spring bulbs and plant life is bursting out. Spruce cones litter the lawn like peanuts on a pistachio sundae. Hyacinth and daffodil ("Hi! & Daffy"?) arrive in technicolour. And The Gardener is overjoyed that the elusive trout lily has bloomed this year.

The creatures have sprung too. One week after the mess in the shed was cleaned up, the squirrels have rebuilt their nest. Greedy turkeys violate the no-go zone. Rosebreasted grosbeaks are back. Garter snakes emerged from their winter campsite. In the pond, new fish check out new digs while momma frog hovers over hundreds of eggs. But there's always someone who moves at a snail's pace.

And the weekly weather summary? Hurricane-force winds hit the area. Minor damage up here, but down on the bay scenes that have never been seen before --- sheets of spray, and deep new colour combos.

Lots of seasonal work going on. The first freighter came and went. The chips are up, then down. R goes to the MAAX but P is in another thyme zone.

But Spring play happens too. First refill of sunflower seed. First car wash! And ta-da ---- first flip of the ragtop.

We really like Mexico, so here's some duende for nuestros amigos. Start with a big margarita. Then celebrate the 5th of May, or "sinko de mayo".

Spring's feelin' good and lookin' good up here on The View, from sunrise to moonrise.

VERY SNOW TO VERY SUN TO VERY SAD

It's almost May but the week started with so much snow the lane up the hill was still undrivable. So, a lot more shoveling --- at first to make a walking path, but eventually to clear the whole darn thing to drive up. The pond was still frozen over. The crocus stayed strong and colourful through it all.

Yardwork doesn't stop just because of the snow and cold. A new residential development went up next door, but the homes are like small boxes and are strictly for the birds. There was a fiddler on the roof. The Japanese maple was carefully uncovered like opening a Christmas present of delicate lace.

Then wouldn't you know it, a warm spell returned. In direct sunlight, the thermometer rocketed and contradicted the snow around it. The Eager Gardener welcomed the first daffodil. And the pond ice broke up looking like cumulus clouds on a dark sky.

The ferry ChiChemaun left its winter moorings on a foggy shakedown cruise, like seeing the first robin. Actually, more like the first flickers --- on the ash tree or drilling for grubs.  Or like the first doves, cooing like teenagers making out in the park.

Rumbling and buzzing sounds from below turned out to be a giant willow tree being removed by the neighbour. Like a buzzard circling roadkill, I asked for the chips to be dumped on our side. Bonanza! The chips went down, then they were chauffeured up. All the garden paths and edges get a new carpet.

But overshadowing all this was the terrible tragedy in Toronto, the van attack that left dead and injured on Yonge Street, the busiest in the city. The memories of the tragedy in Humboldt are still fresh, and now this heartbreaking scene. We felt we had to travel to one of the memorial sites to pay our respects and share the grief.

Tonight there will be a vigil at the spot. 25,000 or more expected to show support and determination to go on. A display of the famous and envied diversity and caring among so many cultures, religions, and origins that define Toronto. Read the scrawled messages and see. That's the magnet for people from everywhere, and yet ironically makes us feel free. Years ago but still vivid, Pat and I worked nearby and walked this very strip. This is our city and it's strong, but this sadness is deep and heartbreaking.