Last Saturday’s giant snowflakes were so remarkable that I need to remark about them. Violet and I talked about how no two snowflakes are the same, but wondered: How do we know that? Is it simply a legend of the “They say” variety?

There was a bit of grumbling in the Cronig’s parking lot but, honestly, the wonder of it all.

One would think by Easter weekend there would be tons of garden activity. What is a garden columnist to do? It’s been months with only the weather to discuss. I’ll try to soldier on.

I have a nice patch of early purple crocuses. They are not the large varieties but certainly welcome and ever so cheerful. Over the years, they have spread to cover the entire bed and are now marching happily across the lawn — bound for glory it seems.

Just the bare tips of tulips and hyacinths have emerged, but recognizable. Nature and time do march on regardless of the chilly temperatures and/or human interference.

I broke down and purchased a little bunch of yellow tulips. They sure brighten the kitchen and my mood.

I spent some time transplanting tiny seedlings in the greenhouse. Sweet William, wallflower, deep pink yarrow, and several herb varieties are now separated and coming right along.

The wallflower is a neglected orange and fragrant biennial from bygone years. Such a pity as it is lovely in early summer.

The various cole crops germinated in four days on the 60 degree propagating mat, yikes! Now what? The ground is still frozen. I placed some large pieces of plastic over a couple of beds in hopes of warming the soil to receive said seedlings. Both the bok choy and spinach are anxious to get into the ground.

I have a blooming witch hazel finally. Usually it is way earlier, sometimes in mid-February. There is a huge one on Skiff avenue in Vineyard Haven on the right before rounding the big turn headed down to the fisherman’s shack. I think it belongs to Doris Billings?

Three of us spent almost two days netting my entire chicken yard. I had tried to jury-rig some burlap and bamboo last week to foil the Cooper’s hawk. It was determined and got yet another of my hens on Sunday. It swooped right into the chicken coop where they were cowering. Hate that! I know the poor thing is hungry but, please, aren’t there tons of mice, rats and rabbits?

I was itching to get some yard work done so I spent a great deal of time cutting and yanking bittersweet vine. Talk about relentless. I fear for the property if left unchecked. Another noxious pest is the multi-floral rose. I have it everywhere. I am not even fond of it in bloom and dislike the smell. Cut it to the ground if you see it! Some of the canes get 20 feet in length for Pete’s sake.

I need to thank both Bill Eville and Connie Berry of the Gazette staff. I handwrite this column weekly and one of them collects it from me and types it up on the computer. Good thing, since I’m pretty much a technophobic loser, and oddly, proud of it.

I’ve enjoyed watching the governor of Indiana, Mike Pence, squirm in the media spotlight in his hopeless attempts to back away from the RFRA legislation.

I love how he says that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act does not discriminate against the LGBT community. Well, Mikey, what does it do? We already have freedom of religion built into the U.S. Constitution.

Why is it impossible for these state legislators to grasp the idea that a person can be liberal and Christian?

Silly me! I thought biblical principles included caring for the poor, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, welcoming the strangers in your land, leaving judgment of others to God, looking after your own wrongdoings, and following the Golden Rule.