Maria and I went to the Mansion to visit the residents who had no family today, and afterward, we decided to drive around. We both love to do that, but today was a perfect day. It started out snowing, then hailed, then rained, then the sun came out. The weather was like a carnival wheel, turning and turning.

I sensed the possibilities. This weather meant lots of beautiful clouds alternating with bright sunshine, a perfect storm for pretty clouds.

We drove around for an hour and talked and sat in silence at times until I came across Notch Hill, which I went on years ago, but have forgotten in the world’s rush. Maria was as mellow as I can remember seeing her.

There was a gorgeous visit, snow falling and staying on top of the Green Mountains, across the valley from where we live in New York State. We had a lovely and wonderful day and then returned to take Ed Gulley’s Tin Man apart. It was time.

It was a lovely day, and the photos along the way speak for themselves. Next Sunday, our four-day vacation begins, the longest after Disney World and New Mexico. We are psyched.

But first, this coming week. Here we go with the journal, the story of my life on Easter Sunday, 2022.

My life is all about rebirth; this holiday is close to my heart

(I communed with this cow on a nearby farm.)

The Green Mountains, in the snow and hail. Mt. Equinox. The sight of this big mountain, now white on top underneath this beautiful clouds hypnotized me. I went home and got my tripod and came back.

On Notch Hill, overlooking the town of Shushan and the Green Mountains of Vermont. A new and unique Big Sky place for me (eat s___, Montana).

I woke up at 6:30 this morning, looked out the window, and saw one of the first Starlings of 2022 on the kitchen chimney holding a big piece of straw pirated from the corral.

The starlings love to build nests in the eaves of our house, and they are welcome. It was beautiful to see, though the bird seemed proud of itself and helped the straw up to the skies as if asking for help. Then they flew off.

The starlings are savvy builders and fiercely protective mothers; they buzz bomb me whenever  I get too close. She didn’t see me this morning.

Maria and Zinnia walked through the cornfields as I set up the tripod and took pictures. Two small cumulus clouds hung over them; the sky in front of us was completely different than the sky behind us. I love the feeling of this walk through the field back to me as Zinnia spotted me and started running.