What was hard, harsh, ragged, and rough, changes quickly into luxuriant, lush, lissome, and alive.

Some light rain this afternoon. Maybe enough to do some good, but certainly enough to dampen the lawnmower man who managed to arrive here for the first time this season, just as the drops started dropping.

A package from Nik today, including some Giant Peruvian Inca Corn. This is the answer to the parched corn conundrum. The bag should come with a warning not to open.

And, another package—this one from Mark Smit. He and I had been talking about the amazing—truly spectacular—accomplishments of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the Depression, and he sent me this book about CCC Company 1608. I've come across CCC works in Illinois, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Michigan, and, I suspect other places, and always been astonished by the quality and beauty of the work. This was one of the greatest government programs ever, it made the country a far better and far more beautiful place. I can't wait to read this book. We need an ongoing CCC, now and forever.