We were preparing ourselves for yet another dismal day of rain, according to the early-morning forecast which outlined rain this morning and showers throughout the afternoon. Nature had other plans, and presumably the weather forecasters are now slightly red-faced, but we're not, we're quite content with the way this day unfolded. The high temperature at 18C, a light breeze and wide, open blue sky, the spring sun practically blistering our eyes. 

First thing after breakfast, Irving called a local optometrist he'd used before. Neither of us has had appointments for any medical procedure or consultation for years. But he felt it was time to have his eyes examined and see if his prescription had changed. As luck had it, they had a cancellation that very day, so he set off for a 12:30 pm appointment. 

During which he was informed that his eyes are quite unlike most of people our age. No problems whatever. His eyesight remains acute, although he did require a new prescription. The optometrist spoke at some length with him and he came away with a new prescription and a very satisfying experience. I guess I'm next up. Unlike Irving, I imagine there may be a suggestion that cataracts may be a problem.

This gorgeous day called out to us, not to tarry any longer, but to get out there into the forest with Jackie and Jillie so they could indulge themselves as only dogs can do, free from physical constraints and let loose in an expansive natural environment. Some of the trails remain mired in muck thanks to the days of successive rain we've had, but the forest enjoys the rain, and it encourages the vegetation to begin advancing toward their summer cycle.

The change from day to day in emerging foliage, as minuscule as it is yet on deciduous trees and shrubs is clearly visible; tiny leaves at leaping toward maturity and more of them appear each time we're exposed to the landscape. Truly, nature is a magician. Each of the numberless tiny leaves looks like a glowing emerald jew sparkling in the sun.

We ambled along at our leisure, in no hurry to extract ourselves from the landscape. The warm serenity of the forest just envelopes us, soothes our minds, relaxes tensions, frees our limbs to easy movement. Birds, many down from the boreal forest, others still migrating in reverse, flit through the trees, singing their light-hearted praises to spring.

The forest understory, just like the trees, beginning to put out new life. Not much activity yet from the forest bracken, other than the occasional fern and the early spring-blooming wildflowers. The busy colonies of trout lilies have not yet put out even one single bloom, but then they're none too generous with their delicate little yellow flowers at any time. More trilliums are emerging and we espied two together that had boldly begun to open their flower buds to reveal the very tip of their crimson petals.

When we arrived back home, we washed up the puppies and they had their afternoon vegetable salad. Then while Irving busied himself downstairs in his workshop for a bit, I decided not to waste the beauty of the day, and took myself outside to cut back the burnt portions of one of our hemlock trees. While I was at it, trimming an overgrown holly and then turning my attention to a large blue spruce whose lower branches were hanging over the edge of the street.

The day was so beautiful it felt absolutely invigorating to be out, working in the garden and I enjoyed every minute of it. The hydrangeas are beginning to bud, so too the roses and the tree peonies as well as some of the clematis vines. Anticipation is quite gripping moving toward late spring and summer.