St. Patricks, 2015

           There is a single lonely crocus blooming in a nearby plot. The golden cup is beautiful, but where are the others? To my mind, crocus is a flower of groups, some purple and white, some gold..

This doesn't seem a sign of true spring, even with the warm days. One robin has been sighted, a bit on the straggly side. So far these are not signs of real spring in Mink Creek. We shall wait and see.

           Steve and Terry Mainini have returned from some fun days in Las Vegas at the NASCAR 2015. Their daughter Angelina joined the family group. Steve's mother and his sister Kris and Rick Rodarte met them, coming over from Ventura, CA.

          The Relief Society held their birthday party at the recreation hall of the LDS Meetinghouse. Women from across the whole community came and celebrated the 173^th year of the forming of the organization with a taco salad dinner and birthday cake and ice cream. Those responsible for decorations and food were Judy Wilde, Terry Stromberg, Corinne Larsen, Tammy Coleman and Dana Olson. The room glowed with pearly pastel colored balloons and streamers on both walls and tables. Considering the recent fire that destroyed the Crosland's family home the women brought recipes to share with Phee Crosland. Imagine not having any recipes, and a family to feed!  A surprise for Phee was a miscellaneous shower of gifts, given anonymously, to help with some of the small details of making the future house “home.”

            Doug and Beverly Bruderer have become great grandparents, Avery and Pedro Gomez are happy to be grandma and grandpa. All because a little boy was born in February to Nicole and Matt Van Buren of Grace, ID.

           Mike and Mary Ann Jepsen are grandparents again,due to the arrival of another little boy at the home of Joe and Kate Jepsen. He has been named Prescott. The family lives in the Salt Lake area.

           In the five days that have passed wince I wrote those first paragraphs three more crocus blossoms have appeared. Robins are challenging my backyard magpies for space in the pine trees. I heard and saw a V formation of Canadian geese in this morning's sky. We still have snow in the mountains, but the green is spreading even there. Happy St. Patarick's! Everyone is ready for the official arrival and hoping it is more than just official. Still, the days are much warmer than “normal” and that is of concern for the coming months.