The week began with a lovely Easter which we spent quietly at home. Mark is a big fan of carrots so I always buy him a special one for the holiday.

I got up Monday morning and went to the window to determine the source of the strange noise I'd just heard. Turns out the folks behind us were getting a new roof. But then I heard odd noises in the opposite direction.
Madison Gas and Electric company had arrived to begin putting in new gas lines for the street with new connections to all the houses. They'd set barrels along the curb last week in prep for the work, so I don't know why I was surprised to see them.

Due to this work our street is currently only one lane and one direction. When the city crews come in a week to tear up the street for new water and sanitary sewer lines — plus a total redesign to allow space for bikers and pedestrian — the street will be closed to everyone but residents.

The city crews will potentially work 7 days a week until November. Once the project is all done, there will no longer be any on-street parking. This project was not too dusty or noisy but that will not be the case with the larger city project. I think we will be spending a lot of time with our windows closed.
Mark has probably taken thousands of photos of the work this week. I have to admit the process is fascinating and the crews are so polite and friendly.

I tried to do as much garden prep as possible this week, but it was sunny with temperatures in to the 80°s most days and a lot of wind. It was exhausting as the leaves aren't out on the trees yet so there was no shade. We have been under fire warnings all week; a rare occurrence here.
Because of the road work, I went out into the street and dug up the tulips that I had planted in the traffic island. They're potted up and I'm hoping I get some blooms. A big job that was not on my to-do list.

Yesterday Mark had his unexpected project when the neighbors behind us said they'd had compost delivered and it was more than they needed and did we want some. All we had to do was come and get it
Luckily it was a downhill trip from the pile to our garden, so Mark brought three big wheel barrow loads down. We piled it on a work path until I figure out where I want to use it.

This extremely hot and sunny weather has pushed the garden into overdrive. I discovered Fritillaria raddeanea had opened when I walked through the garden yesterday morning. Last year it bloomed on May 6 — a difference to three weeks!

Frost is predicted this weekend. This seems to be our new normal. Extremely hot weather to begin the season followed by typical cold spring temps. But it's a big problem when delicate plants are being pushed so far forward. Viola odorants var. rosea will likely be less bothered by the cold swing than the hot weather. I think I will have to get flat on the ground to get a face-on image of the tiny flowers.
