By now, most of us are aware of the No-Mow May movement. This initiative allows for our yards to provide essential habitat and pollen for our early-season pollinators (like bees) by keeping them unmown until June.

As beautiful as life can be, it can sometimes be overwhelming. It can feel as if there is too much to process. We can try so hard to work through it all and it can still not feel like enough.

It’s almost May and I know I am not alone in my anticipation of the opening days of our seasonal farmers markets. Whether your favorite is as big as the Portland Market in Deering Oaks, or as small as the market at Pumpkin Vine Family Farm, they all have the common thread of being community hubs, spaces to bump into friends, and joyful places to access food.        

Extended family dinners need not be a time of anxiety. Rather they can be a time for exploration of tasty recipes, preferably of the relatively uncomplicated variety.

As of this day, April 15, we have had The Brodster two years. It is hard to imagine how fast this time has flown by. Two years ago, this tornado of a dog came into our lives. I recall when he saw my “hooman” sister’s cat Nathan Jr. If you have ever seen National Lampoon’s “Christmas Vacation;” the scene where the Rottweiler Snots chases the squirrel throughout the house, across the dining room table. That was us!

The Lincoln Home’s Tidal River Writers recently wrote in response to a selection titled “Done With Waiting,” from “The Comfort of Crows,” by Margaret Renkl.

How are you all welcoming spring? Here at Healthy Lincoln County, we are watching for the returning birds, celebrating the arrival of baby animals on local farms, enjoying this year’s maple syrup, and, of course, getting ready for the growing season.