April started out with two dry days, but the forecast predicts that it may be as wet as March.  March was the wettest March since the 1880s.  The very last day of March, we had a little lamb born at our farm.  We didn’t debate long before settling on “Rainy” for a name.  My daughters actually wanted to sleep in the barn with our new addition.  Lots of new things are appearing during this spring season.

The rain is something that we may get tired of; the mud is certainly not fun to negotiate.  However, my folks always used to say, “Don’t complain about things you cannot change.”  Weather is just one of those things for which we have no control.  So we should look for the good things which come along with the rain of spring.  Robins and daffodils are appearing everywhere.  The grass is beginning to green up and the trees are already beginning to bud out.  Easter break is certainly a welcome break for school children and a time to get out and explore nature.

My personal favorite spring blossom will most probably appear later this month, the serviceberry.  Also known by sarvisberry (serviceberry’s name comes from the custom of funeral services being delayed in the spring until the ground is sufficiently thawed to dig a grave, which was about the same time this bush flowers), shadbush (the name comes from the fact that the shad or river herring ran about the same time this bush flowers), juneberry, and Saskatoon berry.  Serviceberry blossoms appear on hillsides before the bushes leaves appear.  The white flowers look like areas of popcorn exploding from hillsides.  The serviceberry is an important fruit for local wildlife.  Thanks to our rainy spring weather for our serviceberry

Everyone should make an effort to find something you truly enjoy about spring.  The rains bring flowers on trees and plants.  Soon, the hummingbirds will appear, probably extra early this year.  The air is clean and fresh following our splash of spring.  What is it that you especially like that spring showers bring?

April showers really aren’t such a baa-d thing.  In fact, Rainy is something to embrace and enjoy.

Happy Spring!

Keep brushing and flossing,

Dr. James G. Hood

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Dental Care Associates of Spokane Valley, P.S.
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Welcomes Patients
from Age 2 to 102!

James G. Hood, D.D.S., M.A.
507 North Sullivan Road, Suite A-1
Spokane Valley, WA 99037-8576  USA
Phone: (509) 928-9100  |  Fax: (509) 928-0414
Email: drhood@drhood.com

Websites: www.drhood.com
www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalley.com
Blogs: www.drjamesghoodblog.com
www.dentalhealthandnutritionblog.com
www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalleyblog.com
www.jamesandkarenhoodfoundationblog.org
www.sjogrensblog.org
Online Store: www.dentalhealthandnutritionstore.com

Today is the last day of winter, ending tonight at 10:14 pm.  I hope everyone had a Happy St. Patrick’s Day, on Saturday, 3/17/12.  It’s hard to get enough corned beef and cabbage…in my book.

And a bit of tooth trivia on this National Poultry Day, from the Spokane Regional Health District:  Every March 19^th, the swallows return to California’s Mission San Capistrano, after spending the winter in Argentina.  Swallows, like all modern birds, have no teeth.  They “chew” their food by swallowing tiny bits of gravel.  The gravel chews the food internally.  The last time that a bird-like creature could actually bite was about 90 million years ago.

My wife, son, and I went to visit Carroll College in Helena, Montana this past weekend.  As a graduating senior, he is in search of the perfect fit for his college education.  We were extremely impressed with the curriculum, professors, and campus.  Located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, the setting was more beautifully pristine than any campus I had ever seen.  The weather was clear and crisp and the students and faculty were warm and welcoming.

We toured the campus and visited all buildings.  My son is considering pre-med as his initial direction and Carroll has an unmatched record for placement in Medical schools for graduating seniors from Northwest US colleges.  The small size (1,500 students) and personalized student-to-faculty ratio (13:1) make it an excellent institution for higher education.  The Carroll College fighting Saints have won the national title in football for their division 6 of the last 10 years.  And, the ecumenical atmosphere in this diocesan college makes it appear that mental, physical, and spiritual growth is part and parcel of the learning process.

The six things that Carroll College and its faculty and staff aim to instill in its graduates are for them to:

1. Continue learn and search for truth
2. Develop and exercise thinking skills
3. Become and practice effective communication
4. Always see the connectedness in the world around us
5. Always keep a focus on physical, emotional, and spiritual strength building
6. Graduate with a sense of vocation and a willingness and desire to give back to the community.

I would encourage anyone seeking an excellent undergraduate education to consider Carroll College in Helena, Montana.

While in Helena, Montana’s capitol, we went to the Cathedral of St. Helena, the Capitol Building, and Montana Historical Museum.  Of course we saw Indian artifacts, gold mining maps, Charlie Russell paintings, and bronzes, dinosaur bones, and a white buffalo.  We also saw a giant mastodon tooth.  Elephants have teeth like mastodons but have only four, which re-grow six times during their life.

Happy Spring!

Keep brushing and flossing,

Dr. James G. Hood

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Dental Care Associates of Spokane Valley, P.S.
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Welcomes Patients
from Age 2 to 102!

James G. Hood, D.D.S., M.A.
507 North Sullivan Road, Suite A-1
Spokane Valley, WA 99037-8576  USA
Phone: (509) 928-9100  |  Fax: (509) 928-0414
Email: drhood@drhood.com

Websites: www.drhood.com
www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalley.com
Blogs: www.drjamesghoodblog.com
www.dentalhealthandnutritionblog.com
www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalleyblog.com
www.jamesandkarenhoodfoundationblog.org
www.sjogrensblog.org
Online Store: www.dentalhealthandnutritionstore.com

Mountain Valley View Farm is pleased to announce that the menu at our Spokane Public Market booth is expanding! In addition to the delicious, artisan foods made by hand in small batches at our farm, you can now buy fresh food prepared daily at the market itself for a fabulous meal or snack on the go.

At our booth we offer a wide variety of hot items that will warm you from the inside out and satisfy your hunger. Our selection of gourmet soups, chowders, chilis, and stews are made from scratch daily–buy a cup or bowl to keep you cozy while shopping at the Market, or take home a batch for dinner tonight. We also offer grilled sandwiches, panini, and homemade pizza by the slice to tempt your tastebuds. For those who love breakfast, we serve up fresh crepes and waffles throughout the day, as well as made-to-order omelets.

In our cold case, discover delicious gourmet salads made from fresh, crispy greens and a variety of exceptional dressings made by Mountain Valley View Farm itself. We also serve deli style sandwiches stacked with generous portions of meat and cheese for a simple yet satisfying meal.

For dessert, we have a variety of delectable sweets including milkshakes, floats, and old-fashioned malts. Try any of our delicious ice cream or gelato flavors for a special treat, or grab a cookie or slice of cake from our bakery.

If you’re thirsty, you can find a variety of hot and cold beverages at our booth, including healthy teas, coffees, cider, lemonade, fresh juices, and more. You’ll never walk away unsatisfied when you visit Mountain Valley View Farm at the Spokane Public Market!

There are many other delicious, artisan foods available at our booth. Click here to view our full menu, then stop on by to see us at the Spokane Public Market and grab a fresh, gourmet meal with that straight-from-the-farm quality!

Mountain Valley View Farm
c/o Spokane Public Market
24 W. 2nd Ave
Spokane, WA 99210
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Thurs – Sat

* ~ * ~ * ~ *

Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc.
Your Source for Northwest Farm Fresh Foods Shipped Worldwide
4301 South Chapman Road
Greenacres, Washington 99016-8732 USA
Phone (509) 928-1800 | Fax (509) 922-9949
Email: sales@mountainvalleyviewfarm.com

Website: www.mountainvalleyviewfarm.com
Online Store: www.mountainvalleyviewfarmstore.com
Blog with us at www.mountainvalleyviewfarmblog.com

Mountain Valley View Farm Hours:

Monday – Saturday
8:00 a.m. – Noon;  1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)
Closed Noon – 1:00 p.m.

Other farm hours by advance appointment only.
Please call (509) 928-1800 to schedule an appointment.

Getaway Studio Dining Room
& Bed and Breakfast
Phone (509) 928-1800

Directions to Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc.

From I-90 East or West

Take the Sullivan Exit (291B) – South for about 3 miles
Turn left on Saltese (east), and continue for .5 mile
Turn right on South Chapman Road (south), and proceed .9 mile
The farm will be on the left-hand side of the road – 4301 South Chapman Road