The weather, just like my family members, will not respond to criticism. Because I am able to dig in my hoop house, I keep trying to do some work outside in the beds. Even a few days above freezing has no effect on the permafrost. I take comfort that soon I’ll be complaining that it’s too hot and humid.

I did begin moving seedlings from my attached greenhouse to the hoop house. I have leeks, onions, bok choy, spinach, tatsoi and mache all ready to be planted.

I just seeded the cole crops this week. I put them on a 60 degree propagating mat. They should jump out of the soil in a few days. I’ve made a promise to myself to grow them under row covers this year. Last season the crop was dismal thanks to flea beetles, root maggots and the ever-present bunnies. I have a fence but I think a family lives inside the garden under a tool shed. The dog goes crazy looking for them but is pretty much a wimp and always unsuccessful. Speaking of rabbits, how is there world starvation with them and zucchini?

I was pleased to purchase a dozen daffodils from the cancer fundraiser. They are so cheery and hopeful. I missed Dorothy Bangs who organized the event for years — a fine global citizen.

I picked an enormous amount of spinach that had wintered over under plastic. It cooked down into one omelet for Violet and me. The chickens are laying like they mean business. I noticed that eggs are the harvest of the month winner for March.

I cooked the last butternut squash. It had a few soft spots but was still good. I was surprised it lasted so long. I usually find a disintegrated one in the pantry — having removed the floor finish as it reduces to a puddle.

I sauteed it with the last of the onions, leftover pieces of pork and some just-picked kale. Life is good.

I had all but given up on the helleborus. They were completely smashed and dead-looking thanks to months under a snow bank. I saw the beginnings of blooms coming out of the death on Monday. Wonder of wonders.

I was happy to attend a fruit tree grafting workshop last Saturday morning. It was very informative and I now want to graft everything in sight. Of course, my advancing age could be a factor. Will I live to see the fruits of my labor, if you will? I took hope and comfort at the thought of Polly Hill planting the arboretum at age 50.

I had an experience this week which I hope never to repeat. I spilled a quart of yogurt in the refrigerator. Who wants to clean the fridge anyway? As I very carefully placed the bottom glass shelf in the sink — I bumped it ever so slightly. Wow! An explosion to write home about. I found pieces of glass 20 feet away pretty much on every horizontal surface, including the tops of windows. Who knew? Word to the wise — easy does it.

I was happy to hear that Ted Cruz announced his presidential campaign. It should afford a plethora of writing material. I have no doubt that the junior senator from Texas believes every word he says but, honestly, can anyone else? Two planks on his platform are the ending of Social Security and of the I.R.S. I admit it, I’m one of the baffled ones. I can see F.D.R. actually turning over in his grave.

How does the senator plan to finance the endless wars of which he seems quite fond?

An interesting year is ahead for us sane Americans.