small plums swell on the branches. they look like olives now, in the early spring. shiny and hard, they tempt squirrels, but are still too sour an unappetizing to be under any real threat. we have two plum trees; one is green and one is red. they were planted too close together many years ago, so now the branches crush into each other, jostling for sunlight. the red plum leans into the house and over the upstairs balcony, while the green expands lavishly, as through stretching out its arms for effect.

the chickens warble victoriously over their newly laid eggs. birdsong.