Here it is: evidence that I have washed a car this century. Without the photo, no one will believe it. My van was repaired and ready to be picked up early this week, so I returned Karen's Grand Prix about two days ago.

It was probably muddy again by the time I drove over several miles of gravel roads to get it to her. But the proof's in the picture.

(Dad: I took the box with the old portraits along and we opened it together, with our fingers crossed. They arrived in good condition. I took a picture of Karen holding up the photo of our lookalike great-grandmother next to her own face, but she might hurt me if I post it here. I'll send it direct.)

The Canada Geese are all over the place now, in fields next to the roads, in pairs and larger conglomerations. Hawks and merlins are back in full force, and on my way to town today I saw a flock of robins.

My niece Cara was having some work done on her new vehicle so I picked her and my great-nephew Kade up outside the shop and we went to visit Grandma (my grandma; his great-great grandma) till it was ready. When he called me Grandma instead of Auntie Kathy a couple times, obviously noticing some resemblance between me and his real grandma, I made sure to call her right away and suggest I could take her place if ever she needs a stand-in.

I went into the storage room under the stairs tonight to put something away and yep, there is water starting to come in. One year to the day since the river ran through the house. Maybe it won't get so bad this time. We've had a bit of water in the storage room every year, but nothing like last spring.

Chances are there could be water in the basement at Golden Grain Farm too. I didn't drive over to check because the van got stuck in the driveway yesterday— in slush. All there was to be found was a broken shovel with which I could make no headway, so it was fortunate I had my cellphone along and Scott had his. I didn't have to walk home without my doggie escorts.

Nor did I walk over today, because someone saw big Cat tracks right here at the corner three days ago. It's a little unnerving.