SPRING FORWARD, 4TH WEEK: Yes, it is getting greener outside; we're just in the middle of an epic April thundershowerfall that took out at least 8-10 trees from our tiny community. Here are today's pictures, all taken while sheltered from the rain.

First, the usual view from the deck. The small stuff has pretty much finished flowering and has begun to green up. The trees are showing buds now, but haven't started to show leaves yet

The area to the north around the fire pit is showing signs of activity, but still not too much in the way of greening up.

And finally from the comfort and safety of the carport, a look to the west. Since there's still a lot of uncut brush on the other side of the road, it's showing spring in much more splendor. The bigger trees are still mostly bare, but the brush beneath them is actively leafing out.

And finally a couple of pictures from around the area taken in the past few days ...

Yes, there is a driveway under those fallen trees. It took 4 people, 3 chainsaws, and a tractor nearly a full day to clear a path for the owners to be able to get to their house. There is plenty of future mulch and firewood on both sides of the driveway now....

Finally, here's a small farm just down the way from where we live. The picture was taken the day before the storm hit. Luckily they didn't seem to be affected.

Last week's pictures are here.