April 2026 - The Retired Alchemist

I know, I know… the first day of spring was March 20th. But up north where we live, March can be pretty harsh. It doesn’t really feel like spring until at least April to me. April brings sunshine, fresh turned soil, pussy willows and colorful blooms from the bulbs we planted last fall. The earth is whispering awake again. And most importantly, spring brings renewed hope. I don’t know about you, but I am ready for some bright color, a refresh, and renewed hope back in my life.

Planting bulbs in the fall is an exercise in hope.

Spring is full of new growth and wildlife babies

Little lake life has been a whole different type of wildlife entertainment than when we lived up on the mountain in the woods. From out home tucked up in the mountains we would see deer, turkeys and the occasional moose.

Momma turkey watching over her young and the frequent deer we would see in our yard at our previous home in the woods.

We would see the rare moose at our home in the mountains, but this momma moose drinking out of our bird bath was a once in a lifetime sight.

Here at the lake, we observe great blue herons, eagles, muskrats, tons of different ducks and even the occasional otter. The otter stopped by the other day to roll and play on our dock for a short time. If I were an animal, I would definitely want to be an otter. They just enjoy life so much.

This playful little otter (left) showed up one morning on the dock at our new home. The wood ducks (right) marched right through the garden gate.

Meet our new neighbors

Life is chock full of wonder, if we are aware and open to it. Such is the case with our neighbors. When we moved to this house last fall, we had a couple welcome us to the hood. They stop by unexpectedly and bring joy, smiles and entertainment. They are not your typical neighbors. They are a geese couple (geese mate for life) and while they roam the lake, they usually stop by here once a day. While many geese fly south in the winter, this couple braved the cold and stayed on. It helped that the lake did not freeze over in this unseasonably warmer winter.

Since they are here so much, I decided they needed names. Not just any cute animal name, but something quirky, fun and with a meaningful story behind it. When my mom was growing up, she had a beloved chicken that she coddled and carried around. The chicken’s name was Genevieve. My grandpa, who gave my parents this property, had the middle name Isaac. So, the couple have been crowned with the names Genevieve and Isaac. It fits them.

Genevieve and Isaac come visit us every day.

We enjoy their company. However, if they start leaving messes on our dock or yard, I will be chasing them off. My dad has fond memories of my mom getting up in the morning and going outside in her robe, armed with a broom, to chase off the geese that would come up in their yard. Perhaps the apple does not fall from the tree… we shall see. I might need to buy a new robe.

Hope springs

The bright colors and wildlife that emerge in the spring are signs of new life. Signs of fresh starts and hope. May you take the time to enjoy the wonder of spring!

Easter is a little early this year, but spring is in the air. The flowers are blooming and the wildlife are emerging. Easter and spring always remind of new hope and fresh starts.

I have been busy filling eggs, preparing decorations and stuffing Easter bags (instead of baskets) for the grands this year. I saw these cute little Easter jars on IG, so I created a couple of them to give away as well.

We will be hosting our annual family Easter brunch and egg hunt again this year. We have a little smaller crowd this time, with only about 30 people. (Yes, that is small for this extended family.) It has come full circle. My parents started the tradition of the Easter brunch and egg hunt years ago when my kids were little, on this very property. Maybe there will be a few eggs hidden in the lake again this year for some brave finder… just like old times.

My kids and their cousins after an Easter egg hunt years ago at my parents’ house at the lake, where we now live.

We were ruthless in giving away items when we downsized last year. We just did not have the space to keep so much crap. Besides, we don’t want our kids to have to go through all of our stuff when we leave this planet. One of the precious items that survived the cut was the Easter basket from my childhood. I remember the excitement of finding it every Easter morning filled with a large chocolate bunny, real-colored eggs and always a little chick perched on the handle. My oldest son used it for his Easter basket while he was growing up. Now I keep it to decorate with every Easter. It is filled with fond memories and good mojo. Keeping a few sentimental items gives an anchor to our history.