Talk about revolving door weather, we’ve gone from green grass and mild temperatures to rain, sleet, snow, slush, then more green grass, etc, etc. Makes it kind of hard for a cat of steady habits to get into a routine, if you know what I mean. Usually by now, I’m totally content with my housebound existence, feeling no interest in outdoor life except for an occasional glance outside my window at the birdfeeders –– just to whet my appetite for Friskies. But lately, I’ve been thinking about spring and getting the urge to hunt for breakfast on the wing instead of in the bowl. Very untimely.

Apparently, I’m not the only one who is confused. Tom Johnson of Lexington Gardens stopped by the office this week to show us a witch hazel plant that had blossomed during the recent warm and sunny days.

This particular witch hazel variety is called Arnold’s Promise, though after its performance this week, it should probably should be called Spring’s Promise. According to Tom, witch hazel is an early bloomer, but not this early. The blossoms aren’t usually seen until March.

Remember Princess Summer Fall Winter Spring on The Howdy Doody Show? She would have loved living here in Connecticut, where we have a little bit of every kind of weather seemingly all at once. As for me, I’m going to continue sleeping with one eye open in case the seasons change again.

Did you know that Sunday, January 29, is the Chinese New Year of the Dog? Supposedly, if you are born during this year (or were born in any one of the other Dog New Years that come along at 12-year intervals) you have a deep sense of loyalty and duty. And though your tongue (read bark) may be sharp, you’ll keep secrets well. Personally, I think cats are much better than dogs at keeping quiet about secrets and looking inscrutable. Too bad there isn’t a Chinese New Year of the Cat, because we cats have so many fine qualities.

Barbara Krausz representing the Newtown Woman’s Club has been busy contacting area schools and youth organizations to round up help in making valentines to be delivered to two veteran’s hospitals in the state. Many little hands with big hearts from Reed School’s Interact Club, Fraser-Wood School, and local Girl Scout Troops have pitched in with the goal of having 800 cards prepared to bring some cheer and a note of thanks to the veterans.

Jing Hu, the bookkeeper at the Children’s Adventure Center, recently had some friends visit from China, and when they were looking around for a souvenir from their visit here in Newtown, she gave them a much appreciated copy of Dan Cruson’s latest book, A Mosaic of Newtown. What better gift for someone to remember Newtown by than a book about remembering Newtown?

Craig Nichols said he expected to be a little black and blue this week, following the annual Boy Scout Troop 270 trip to Ascutney Mountain Resort in Vermont this past weekend. Craig, who is one of the troop’s co-leaders, found the rain and ice on the mountain to be less than optimum for skiing — and took a couple of spills to prove his point. The boys, on the other hand, had a great, albeit wet, time and came back pretty much in the same condition they left. Wouldn’t it figure that it would snow the day after they returned?

I think the bears have the best approach to winter. Just nap right through it. I think I’ll give it a shot, but I’ll set my alarm for this time next week, so be sure to…

Read me again