Shrove Tuesday and Mardi Gras today. I’d love nothing more than to feast on the traditional pancakes for supper, but I’m trying to cut back on carbs and sugar. Interestingly, I saw a string of Mardi Gras beads hanging from a downed tree over the creek a few days ago while picking up litter (couldn’t reach them to remove). On my woodland walk today, I noticed several trees with these other “decorations,” blue metal tags with numbers. I’ve noticed them before and been wondering why they’re marked. I hope they’re not slated to be cut down. I also noticed several shrubs along the streams and creek tied with tape that read “Wetlands Boundary.” Seems kind of obvious, being that the creek and streams are perennial so there should be no mistaking them. Much of this woodland is flooded most of the year, so the wetlands don’t end beyond the stream channels. Why are these boundaries are marked? Plans for development? I’ll have to chain myself to a tree, if so. Me and the beavers.

I’ve lost track of how many consecutive days we’ve had without sun. I started to wonder how people who live in gloomy climes can stand it, and then remembered I lived in Scotland for two years. One copes—whisky helped. Today, the sun did peak out briefly, bringing us troglodytes out of our caves. Yesterday was the only day so far this year I did not venture outside. I’m not going to let that happen again, no matter the weather.