The snow came back on the 6th, dumping more than an inch on the Fairbanks area. We weren't alone in our suffering; the snow also visited Anchorage and other points south. While snow in April is not unusual, it's usually not very welcome. We were teased by a warm up, making us believe that perhaps Spring would arrive early this year. We do this to ourselves every April.

I've written it before, and I'll write it again, April is my least favorite month of the year. We move between thawing, and end of winter snowfalls. Litter which has remained buried for 6+ months is revealed as snow recedes. The trees are no longer coated with a white frosting, and instead look dead and brown. The ground which gradually comes into view is soggy and muddy, and strewn with left over leaves from autumn. Gravel edges the shoulders of our roads, pounds and pounds of small stones which were dropped regularly during the winter months. The street cleaners won't come by until late in the month or early May.

My mood has been tested severely in just the first few days of this month. About a week ago, I found myself elated, as I walked Sedona at Creamers Field wearing only a thin jacket and feeling the sun beating warmly on my face. And then, a few days ago, I woke to a miserable gray day and fine, blowing snowflakes. My mood sunk. And it continued to sink, as the snow got deeper. Today, I am feeling much better. It is not snowing, and the sun is shining. It is in April that I realize just how much I love and need the sun. I am looking forward to 24 hours of sunlight again.

It hasn't all been doom and gloom though. The past week has been punctuated with both small and great joys. One of the most joyful events was having the opportunity to photograph a three-week-old baby girl named Carrie Sue. Carrie is the third daughter born to my friend Melissa and her husband PJ. They are a military family who I met a few years ago - first via an online community, and then in real life. I photographed Melissa while she was pregnant with Carrie, and having the opportunity to photograph a beautiful new life was a definite mood lifter.

I couldn't help but remember back to those days - decades ago - when my sons came into the world. I don't think I will ever forget what it was like to hold a tiny being in my arms, breathing in the scent of baby lotion, stroking the silky skin of a tiny face, being mesmerized by the tiny fingers where they wrapped around one of my own. Life flies by so quickly... I almost wished I had another baby of my own. The operative word here being almost! I'm sure I'm not the only mother of grown up kids who has had these feelings. For now, I will bide my time, and hope for a day when my son and daughter-in-love make me a grandma. And I will get my "baby fixes" where I can. Two days ago, I got my fix with Carrie Sue.

Little Angel!	Contemplation	And Baby makes 5!	Melissa's Three Girls
	Sisters' Hands		A quiet moment with Mommy
Baby dreams		“A babe in the house is a well-spring of pleasure, a messenger of peace and love, a resting place for innocence on earth, a link between angels and men” ~ Martin Fraquhar Tupper ~

Steve brought me flowers for our anniversary - two dozen long stemmed red roses. While it was snowing outside - keeping me from going out for photography - I thought I'd take some photos of my roses. I set up some white poster board, used my full-spectrum light, and experimented with settings on my camera. It helped to pass a few hours and kept me from going stir crazy.

I just completed a most wonderful book, which was loaned to me by my friend Carmen. The book is entitled "Walking my dog, Jane" and was written by Ned Rozell. Ned is well known, here in Alaska, for his many contributions to the Alaska Science Forum (which I mentioned in a previous entry). The book tells the story of Ned's hike along the pipeline from Valdez to Prudoe Bay, with his faithful companion Jane at his side.

I enjoyed this book very much, mostly because Ned Rozell wrote about things that I know, and places that I've been. So many times, I found myself nodding in my mind - in total agreement with him about his feelings about living in Alaska, and how much he loves this land and the people who live here. The story is also peppered with Alaska history, which I enjoyed, as well as many entertaining stories about the experiences he had crossing three mountain ranges and 800+ streams/rivers with his chocolate lab. The words flowed nicely, and the book was an easy read. I hated putting it down, and couldn't wait to finish it. However, when I finally did finish reading it, I was sad that it was over. I plan to hang onto this book a little while longer (if it's OK with Carmen!) and read it to Steve on our first summer road trip. (Rather than listen to CDs when traveling, I read books to Steve) I'd highly recommend this book for an easy read; it will make you daydream about hiking across the Last Frontier.

Yesterday, I noticed a new visitor to the seed tray on my back deck. I'm used to seeing squirrels, redpolls, and chickadees - both boreal and black capped. But yesterday, I caught a glimpse of a tiny head sneaking a peek over the side of the tray. I grabbed my camera, and then kept really still, while focusing through the glass.

I don't know whether our visitor is "Victor" or "Velma", but he/she usually hangs out beneath the birch and spruce trees in our yard. I've seen him gathering up the seeds dropped or cast off by the birds, and when he sees me, or something frightens him, he dives into one of the many tunnels he's carved out of the snow. But yesterday, I suppose the enticement of fresh sunflower seeds gave him the encouragement he needed to venture up onto the deck.

Tomorrow, Steve and I are planning to drive to Denali Park. The weather forecast is calling for cold - but partly cloudy - which is better than the cloudy/snowy weather predicted for next week. The road is only open to mile 15 (Savage River) at this point, but maybe we'll see some wildlife. On the way back, we'll be making a stop at Monderosa outside of Nenana for their famous burgers.

Come on spring! You can show up any time! We're ready!