Cant even imagine living up north, you all are tough! It is cold today in east Texas but I have been out planting my bare roots and finishing pruning. I found my first bud today! Its on Grandmother's Hat - a $2 rose I got years ago from Chamblees sales bin. I noticed for the first time that some of the trees are thinking about putting out leaves. Have a white flag iris blooming, but none of the rest of them are. Have seen bluebirds, but no robins. Fish are coming up to eat in my ponds when I throw feed. Daffodils are blooming. We can certainly always expect another freeze. Last year, it came when my huge wisteria was in full bloom. Just wrecked it - no more scent, fried blooms. I was furious! Will be ready for it this year. I am getting one of those pop up tents from Big Lots, will hang tarps around the sides and put heat lamps on extension cords to keep it warm. Will probably be the laughingstock of the neighborhood but I WILL save my wisteria! Hooray for spring! Judith

esrungg- I'm in Kazoo county, so both of us had the chilly temps last night. Have you seen your male yet today? I have not seen the male from yesterday, just those silly house finches on the feeders. Yesterday, a B. Oriole came twice, but he's a no show today also.

Sounds like my yard. Today is day four of not filling my squirrel proof perch feeder I have a screened Nyjer feeder only. I also took down a nest in my soffit but there are still many crooks and crannies in my 1945 clapboard cottage. Don’t know what else to do. They even try to guard the birdbaths. I don’t want to harm them just push them to new area. I was starting to get Bluebirds but saw house finch chase it ☹️

patti43, you are correct that the main intent of the G20 summit is to discuss what steps should be taken to avert further financial crisis in the global economy. In a nutshell, many of the protesters are against having G20 summits at all, saying that they don't feel the G20 leaders have any right to make decisions that impact the rest of the world. Some protesters use the summit in hopes that their messages on a variety of issues including the economy, climate change, and globalization will capture the attention of world leaders attending the summit. Some protest that they don't want the G20 countries to cut stimulus spending until jobs recover. Greenpeace International is protesting that if G20 countries could spend billions of dollars to rescue banks in trouble, why not find money to help unemployed workers, for the environment and for social causes. Student activists are protesing being tens of thousands in debt for their education. They had signs that said "One billion for education, not fortification", inferring that the 1 billion spend on security and fortification to hold the summit would have been better spent on providing less costly education. There are people protesting for the Labor movement, the Environmental movement, the Women's movement, etc. Marchers have been complaining about everything from pay for public employees to expensive housing to the excesses of capitalism. It's unfortunate the minority who use violent means to show their displeasure make it so much more difficult for those who wish to peacefully exercise their right to protest.