Well, I still haven't started spring planting. We're having rain flirting with snow at night again. The weathermen are cheerfully emphasizing their weather graphics with blizzards of snow flakes threatening the area. So far it hasn't been fulfilled, but the lows are still grazing the freezing mark closely enough that the cats are coming in at night. They're better predictors of frost than the finest weather computer model.

The cats have started shadow hunting again. My bedroom window faces the dwarf apple tree, a favorite rest stop for many birds hunting for spring worms. When the shade is down, their shadows flicker across it ever so close to the cats resting on the bed, triggering a shadow hunt as the cats leap and swat at the shadow dancing before their enormous eyes.

This morning Mom informed me that I had left the yarn box on the bed and the cats were exploring it. It turned out that a shadow hunt had claimed it as a victim. I've used most of the yarn already, and the considerably lightened box had evidently been toppled by a climbing cat. Never ones to let an opportunity for crafting fun pass, the cats had promptly crawled in among the remaining skeins and started staking their claim to a fine new cat bed. I quickly evicted them and stood the box upright again, but now that they've found such splendid comfort they'll probably try to reclaim it when possible.

The tulip magnolia is putting on a splendid show this year. All that pruning and compost, fertilizer, and mulch around its base has encouraged it considerably. The roses are also putting out lush sprays of foliage despite the cold, eager to start blooming again. The day lilies are rushing out of the ground, filling in their usual spots and greedily sending scouts into open areas to spread wherever they can appropriate more ground.

The different varieties of daffodils are nodding congenially at each other like girls comparing their prom dresses. A dark violet crocus put up a burst of flowers where the grape hyacinths should soon join it. The tulips and hyacinths have sent their furled leaves into the air, promising blooms soon. The bridal wreath bushes have floated their drifts of snowy blossoms along the fence, frosting themselves with tender petals instead of late snow.

The crafting is proceeding better with yet another sweater nearly done. I saw my pacemaker surgeon last week, and she informed me that I could expect the incision to be tender for a while yet. At least it is improving and not hampering my knitting quite as much. I've nearly got another box of sweaters ready to go.

I've been hustling that along because I realized that I may get another box of free yarn for sweaters in a few months. Once one is on their mailing list for charity yarn projects, Coats & Clark may send along a box about once a year, depending on what they have available.

If you do charity knitting, particularly for a group, you may qualify for a donation of yarn. It helps if you don't need a particular name brand or color of yarn. I asked for acrylic yarn suitable for an easy-care child's sweater, and I gratefully received a huge box that has kept me knitting since early October. It may take two or three months from the date of your letter to get on the mailing list and receive your box, so be patient if you apply for a donation. Their address is:

Coats and Clark
P.O. Box 12229
Greenville, SC 29612