Could it be April Fools' Day?

Do you feel you're living in a dream?  I keep hoping I will wake up and no-one will know what I am talking about.  

Or maybe this is the most sophisticated April Fools' joke anyone has ever pulled.  If only that were true.

We've all resorted to COVID-19 humor to pass the time and bring some levity to the otherwise horror-movie scenario.  Today I am doing my part to contribute distraction by pulling from my archives and linking up with my blogging buddies.  Please visit these linky parties, and maybe in the comments below, you can tell us about the best April Fools' joke you ever performed (or were subject to).  

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March 30, 2020

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color hosts I Like Thursday, and don't we all need some positives right now?  Head on over there and you're sure to find something inspirational.  I just cried my heart out at her 3/29 post featuring the "For Good" duet by Kristin Chenoweth and Rachel Levy.  It's a perfect tribute to what many of us bloggers mean to each other.  This post covers many of my "likes", from Montana sights to critters to food.  Enjoy!

Amazing Crepes Restaurant - March 2019

I've said before I am motivated by food.  It just brings me bliss. I have no doubt that it springs from the delectable meals prepared by Head Chef every day.  Having said that, I am looking forward to dining out.  Being served.  Enjoying a cocktail I don't make at home.  Feeling the vibe of other people, as laughter and conversation ebbs and flows.  This longing came over me as I looked back at some of my restaurant meal photos - something we took for granted not so long ago.  Check out Friday Bliss, hosted by Riitta, to see what bliss means for some other blogging friends.

Spotted Bear Distillery - March 2019

Red Columbine - May 31, 2019

The advent of April prompted me to pull out my gardening journal, and my plans for spring planting that were developed six months ago.  With that came the sudden realization that I should be sowing Columbine seeds soon.  The official guidance recommends sowing on top of raked soil 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost.  We live in Hardiness Zone 5a, and its average date of last frost is April 15.  Yikes!  I need to get moving.  And wouldn't you know, the next day I woke up to an inch of snow?  So, this is a Columbine picture from last spring; you can find more current flower photos if you link to Floral Friday Fotos.

Last May, I was helping my Dear Neighbor Friend with some of her students, and I had some spare time before one of the sessions.  I recall that it was a glorious spring day; I was drawn to walk the neighborhood around the school, and I made a terrific discovery.  The East Side Historic District of Kalispell is in the National Register of Historic Places!  It features no less than 74 buildings, mostly homes, each one sporting its own plaque with a detailed description of the building and its history.  I photographed nine homes that day, which are worthy of their own post sometime.  For right now, I will show you my favorite and link up with Betty at My Corner of the World, who is making the world a smaller place one week at a time!

McIntosh House - Queen Anne style built in 1894

Animals are never far from my mind since we live in the woods.  I have only to look out the window and I will see some sort of wildlife, most commonly birds and deer.  A couple of weeks ago, I offered to collect the trail cam disks for one of my neighbors, and I am sharing just a few of the resulting pictures in this post.  To put some other "wild" into your life, pop on over to Saturday's Critters, hosted by Eileen.

Mr. Coyote out for a stroll

Father shows Son the ropes

Not sure if the turkeys think of the driveway as a runway or a red carpet, but they sure like to strut their stuff!

You might not be a flower person, or have access to wildlife, but everyone can see the sky.  Be it blue or gray, dotted with clouds or studded with stars, the sky has been a fascination for man through the millennia, so it is no surprise to me that Skywatch has a multitude of participants every week.  I have been saving this picture from our visit to Skipton Castle Woods back in October, and I think this is the time to let it fly!  Be sure to look heavenward over at Skywatch!

We are cat lovers in this house, so I never need an excuse to visit Brian's Home.  Dolly, Simon, Zoe, Seal and Brian are always up to something, and it is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.  (It may be a wry knowing smile, like "yep, my cat does THAT too!")  In this case, we are joining Thankful Thursday, because I am particularly happy this week to be the lucky recipient of the 2020 Little Bird Calendar from Sylvia.  Thanks again, Sylvia!

I feel better the minute I look at this charming little birdie!

Optimistic we will have a baseball season!

Tom the Backroads Traveller has been a faithful participant in Mosaic Monday, often linking up twice.  Thanks, buddy!  He also hosts entertaining linky parties such as the Barn Collective, Tuesday's Treasures and Willy Nilly Friday, which I am joining this week.  Just as the title implies, you can post anything!  If you are in a willy-nilly mood, or WANT to be spontaneous, check it out! The ideal opportunity to show you some murals that were outside the American Sign Museum, which I wrote about here. 

Hopefully you have found some diversion with my post today.  I will leave you with a final mural.  The future is out there waiting for us.  Have faith.  Show a little kindness to someone who needs it today.  Say a prayer for the health professionals who are putting their lives on the line.  Until next time!