This Metcalfe family was far-flung and fragmented this weekend.
Miranda and gospel choir made a day trip to Camp Taconic; Jessica and
Emily attended and participated in the district Festival of Life
competition at ENC, and Andrew was ferried around to where his parents
would take him.

Jessica won a gold medal for her sculpture but everything else was
silver for Jess and Emily.  Jessica's silvers were awarded for craft,
puppetry, drama, and creative writing.  Emily's silvers were awarded
for craft, puppetry, drama, and flute solo.  They both move onto the
regional competition (Emily as craft alternate).

The glacier that has been my driveway for the past week has been
receding thanks to some unusually warm (and wet) weather New England
has had over the past few days.  The jet stream this winter has put us
on warm and cold cycles.

Joy and I are considering a second honeymoon in May to mark our 20th
wedding anniversary. We found a travel agency in Townsend and picked
up several booklets to dream about.  Andrew sat somewhat patiently as
the agent discussed several options for us to consider.  Nothing is
settled on, though, but we hope to remedy that in short order.  First
things first: I've lined up Grandma for the all-important chore of
getting the kids off to school and figuring out which type of boxed
Macaroni and Cheese they'd like to eat for dinner.

I started the annual apple tree pruning in the Saturday drizzle. Last
year, I worried that I was overpruning (and I'm worrying again this
year).  However, the trees came back with a vengeance, so this year I
hope to keep pruning throughout the year, nipping off the "water
spouts" (branches that appear and shoot straight up to the sky) and
keeping the fruit bearing limbs and branches clear for the light to
get to them.  I suspect I am still a few years away from getting the
process down pat.  I've noticed the Home and Garden TV channel is
focusing on gardens again, but pruning is *my* first step towards the
revival of Spring.

Have a great week - and thanks for the replies last time!

Mark