AT THE CHURCH O’ THE PINES, the congregation is largely on its own today as I am back and forth from the hospital. Mostly forth. Kathy is doing… OK. But there are bouts of nausea and significant discomfort. Lots of kind, competent nurses. Meanwhile in my visits back to the church grounds we find hints of Spring. Esteemed church choir soloist Sparky the Cardinal is singing his first real spring hymns, and it is great to hear. Everyone else chimes in, despite the general feeling that no one else can quite measure up to Sparky. The crows and jays are enthusiastic at least. The main thing is that the deep freeze has passed, and there is a welcome touch of warmth on the breeze. The white tails, who come every day—curious and diffident and graceful—seem especially appreciative. And the squirrels are filled with energy and are—to use the technical term—seriously twitterpated.