The month started with the finale of syrup cooking. The last day of gathering and cooking was April 2, with sap boiling early and finishing up by early evening, cooking around 120 gallons down. Despite the bifurcated season, the yield was good this year so both Jim and John will get plenty to enjoy this year. All the taps and bags
got pulled on Sunday afternoon in gloom and fog from melting snow. At that point, one would anticipate warming weather and the progress of spring to flowers. But the weather did a flip flop on the 10th: to hot and stormy. Stevens Point (and the taekwondo testing) was fortunate, as tornadoes hit north and south and then things got colder and colder with another snow storm on the 19th; snow showers off and on in the end of the month. Those here in the north could only watch in horror during the end of the month as the southern states were trampled by twisters.
However, in Rudolph, the indoor time allowed for the completion of the bedroom renovation for Jim’s room. The room looks so great compared to the old look! The Henkels managed to get in some social moments also: lunches with Doc Stevens and the Onans, a scrabble afternoon with Irene and then crafts out in Rudolph, too. John came home for the Easter weekend, fixed my computer and let his mother feed him.
Hilde had MANY meetings due the task of redistricting the county (happens every ten years after census data comes out). It went very well with lots of interaction from committee members, county officials, and even the League of Women Voters representatives. There may be some minor changes, but the plan is fair and fits the odd municipal boundaries and school district boundaries as best possible. Hilde also opened and ran the town polls for the morning of the spring election, with things going smoothly.
Mark has been brought into som
e cases in Minnesota so we spent the end of the month over there, visiting the two areas of litigation, with Hilde along for the ride. This allowed for a stop in Minneapolis on the way west where Evie’s mother Kathy showed us Lake Harriet Methodist and the lovely area around there, plus the possible places for the rehearsal dinner. Despite the cold weather, July is not far away and plans are pretty set. Besides being a great couple, John and Evie are pretty organized, so all is going well.Though the month we had skype visits with Jim and Kayme with Rhiannon wiggling and growing quickly. Kayme shared this wonderful picture of Rhi with her Easter bunny from Great-Grandma...gotta call it "Somebunny Sweet"! The technology is such a blessing, but we are looking forward to the gathering in person of the expanded Henkel clan in July.
April ended with slightly warmer weather a parade of turkeys through the yard and then a beautiful gleam of sunset while rain turned Powers Bluff violet. Wisconsin is a beautiful place to live.
