TODAY WAS A BIG DAY at the Church O’ The Pines along the Father of Waters. The day the church moat (Mississippi River) opened up a lead along the far shore and began to give way to spring. So far it’s a gentle opening with no ice jam or flooding. But that is still an open question. Still, a big day. And as robins sing evensong and wood ducks squeal along the opening shoreline and geese honk and gabble, a celebratory campfire is required to mark the date, and the change of seasons.