The overnight rain on Wednesday provided much-needed relief from irrigating the newly planted flower beds. The rest of the week was overcast, with dangerous winter storms expected to hit the eastern half of the country, starting Saturday. The weather predictions for Saturday and Sunday here include thunderstorms, while Monday and Tuesday are expected to bring bitter cold. Drainage ditches are currently at low levels due to the lack of runoff over the past few weeks.  Road construction to add turning lanes to the highway in front of my home has finally restarted by laying new asphalt to the newly expanded highway surface.  Work was done at night to avoid the heavy daytime traffic.  Gold finches are here in large numbers feeding on sunflower seeds on the table.  A fox squirrel has been eating alongside them. Cypress trees are sending out male flowers and Japanese maples are flowering.