The rain poured and clattered last night, and this morning the central Maine woods are sodden and foggy and filled with bird song. Even after the downpour, snow lingers in the shadows, but the daffodils are budding and the clearing is beginning to green, and this morning a red-breasted nuthatch is peep-peeping its nasal little call, like timer with a head cold.

Our vacation is winding to a close. We head back to Portland today, and tomorrow the kids will catch an early-morning bus back to the metropolis, T will trundle off to work, and I will return to my breathless schedule.

But it's been a respite, for sure.