April brought a mix of emotions, unexpected weather, and some meaningful moments here at home in Upstate New York. From helping one of our beloved stray cats recover from surgery to prepping the garden beds for wildflowers—and even getting hit with a surprise snowstorm—it was a month packed with life, warmth, and a little chaos.
🐾 Tuxedo’s Journey: From Street King to Office VIP
One of the dominant male stray cats around here, Tuxedo, has probably fathered more than a few litters in the area. He’d been spending more time around the garage and eventually made himself at home—literally.
We knew it was time to get him fixed, both for his health and the local stray population. After his surgery, I (Frank) turned my office into his private recovery suite. For 2-3 weeks, I gave him his medicine, made sure the cone stayed on, and spent hours every day with him to ensure he felt loved, relaxed, and not alone.
🌾 Turning Cat Straw into a Wildflower Haven
The straw we had used in the garden for the outdoor cats during winter had served its purpose. Instead of tossing it out, I decided to repurpose it by spreading it along weed-filled areas and the white stone walkway. Then I layered fresh garden soil over it—creating a foundation for what will become a dense, colorful strip of wildflowers.
This approach gives new life to materials that helped keep animals warm and also improves areas of the yard that needed a bit of love. It’s a small but powerful way to let nature rebuild itself.
🔥 Cozy Evenings with Neo
Evenings this month have been peaceful—at least when the workday wraps up. With the electric fireplace glowing, I’ve been spending downtime on the computer with Neo, who loves curling up right next to me. There’s something grounding about those quiet hours when everything slows down, and the flicker of the heater adds that cozy layer of calm.
❄️ Snow in April? You’ve Got to Be Kidding
Just when we thought spring was here to stay… surprise! We woke up one morning to find the entire landscape covered in snow. A white world in mid-April. Really?
While it was beautiful in that classic Upstate New York way, we’re ready to move on. Bring on the sun, the planting, and the warmth. Winter had its turn—it’s time for spring to do its thing.
Wrapping Up the Month
April 2025 reminded us that life at home is anything but boring. Whether it’s caring for our stray-turned-family member, preparing for blooming wildflowers, or getting hit with a spring snowstorm, there’s always something meaningful in the mix.
Stay tuned—we’ve got a lot more growing (literally) as the season unfolds. 🌱