Kathleen, I enjoyed your article, and the reminder (to all of us) that really, nature is in charge. I noticed that you are from Western New York, and I had to google your location (because it sounded familiar to me!). I grew up in Alden, NY, and we had a cottage at Chatauqua Lake for many years, which is very near to you! Some of my very best and favorite memories are from Chatauqua Lake, so thanks for the memory jogging!

I also lived for 18 years in AZ, and have now lived in the mountains of SW Colorado for 3 1/2 years (so far), and I am being reminded of the changes of winter/spring/winter/spring... we also have had snow for the past 4 days! I'm glad not too many things have come up yet!

I'm glad you enjoyed it, and that it brought back memories. We live in Clymer township, close to North Clymer, which like Wickwire corners, strictly speaking, no longer exists. I spent a lot of time at Chautauqua Institution as a baby sitter and store clerk and later as one of the teachers in the Special Studies program. It is a pretty area.

It sounds like you have done some major climate changes over the years. It must be interesting to learn and relearn gardening in each area.

Love the Chatauqua Institution! And yes, re-learning to garden in very different climates is a challenge. Here, the biggest challenge is waiting... our last average frost date isn't until the end of May!

That's here as well. I generally plant the vegetable garden in early June to avoid frosts, but was forced to wait until July 4th on one occasion. Lately, the frost date does seem to be moving back some, but it is always tricky to anticipate.