We're late this year, much later than previous years in beginning our household spring cleaning chores. But we have finally made a start and it makes us feel good that we've at least begun the process. For one thing, feeding local wildlife throughout the winter months leaves a dreadful amount of unsightly detritus behind, to be swept away and hauled off. But before my husband managed to get to it, along came a pair of visitors. We were surprised that in broad daylight a young raccoon was making his way along the back fence toward the composters. Which has inspired my husband to begin taking out the kitchen compost far more frequently this week; his sympathy expressed for the hunger of newly-awakened hibernating creatures.

The very same day, again in the middle of the afternoon, another larger raccoon ensconced itself comfortably in the midst of the pile of seeds and nuts left after winter's bounty was expended by hungry wildlife. The raccoon remained there awhile, digging among the detritus to daintily pick out treats until he was satisfied, and then ambled off. Not long afterward the entire mess was shovelled up and into compost bags for trash collection.

As for the house interior, I began taking down sheers and started with those in the dining room, to wash them and return them later to the windows, fresh and clean. They had been fairly clean, but not fresh, and so that's changed. And I began to tackle the kitchen cupboards, beginning with the pantry wall, hauling out boxes, jars and tins, to check expiration dates and clean the shelves. Jack and Jill were curious, but non-intrusive, for which I was grateful.

And since it was also a gloriously sunny day and not all that cold, I also hied myself and them off to the backyard to begin to finish the process of clean-up that had mostly been accomplished last fall; cutting back any perennials I'd overlooked, including roses, picking up detritus that had fallen throughout the winter, and generally satisfying myself that things were in order to welcome spring bulbs pushing through the soil in preparation for their early blooms.

My husband had gone out shopping, in the meanwhile, for wire fencing to be temporarily erected around the gardens to keep our two little gnawing-imps out because they tend to want to nibble at everything and we've got lilies coming up, and they, among a few other plants, are poisonous for canines. In all, we felt well satisfied with this initial clean-up foray, and plan to continue until we feel enough has been done this spring.