It was Easter Monday, April 10th. It was a really nice day…we were in Bismarck in the afternoon, and it was 60 degrees. On the drive back we were commenting on how there were open fields loaded with geese. A week ago, this wasn’t true. We seemed to miss the majority of the April snowstorm, but Bismarck was not so lucky.

I was unloading my pickup and there it was. The familiar chirp that tells you there is a robin in the area. Quickly turning around, I caught the glimpse of the first robin of 2023; well, the first robin in my yard in 2023 anyway. I quickly called my wife, Sue, as the first robin of the spring is a big deal! By the time she got to the door, our red breasted friend was gone. Oh well, there certainly will be a lot more this summer. I predicted the first robin would arrive on April 11th. Instead, it was April 10th. Soon we will be watching for pairs of robins nesting in our yard. Could it really, really be spring?

Easter Sunday Starts The Dig Out
We drove to Hazen, ND, on Easter Sunday. As I alluded to before, it was snow drifts as far as the eye could see. Very little, if any bare grounds in most fields. On our return to Minot, we noticed a group of military vehicles, including a small loader, busy at work clearing snow in a missile site just south of Max. At last week’s MAC meeting we learned that there would be a concerted effort to get to all of the missile sites with shovels and move snow away from the missile silos. There is more snow in some areas than others, but no matter what, it will certainly be a big job this spring. I can say, however, that I was surprised that the process began on Easter Sunday. But we have learned that there is a “whatever it takes” attitude at Minot AFB. Sunday was a warm day, and there was sure to be snow melt causing running water. Better to get ahead, than have to catch up…as my Dad would say.

One Positive From COVID
A short chat with my Grandson last week was interesting, in that they were in the bullseye of the latest winter storm, and he was going to be in school from 9 AM to 2 PM, in a virtual classroom of course. Not only did it give him something to do on a cold, snowy, winter’s day, but it preserved his 4 day Easter/Spring break. In “the old days”, Good Friday and Easter Monday were reserved as snow days, defined as days you missed school because of winter weather that blocked roads and made getting to school impossible. On this Wednesday, Carter, my grandson, would sign on to his virtual classroom, and his teacher would be able to monitor his presence through video and audio of his iPad, which is learning central for kids now days.

Best Kept Secrets
May will be a very special month at Roosevelt Park Zoo as they plan a ribbon cutting for the new leopard habitat and unveil the new plans for their giraffe habitat. Watch for complete details on the Northern Sentry Community Calendar.

Today’s Chuckle
Astronomy follows the stars by calculation, astrology follows them by the zodiac and Hollywood follows them by reading the tabloids.