I started up our main waterline yesterday turning off valves that had been left open for drainage during winter as I walked its half-mile length looking for leaks. We started a short branch of the water system a couple of weeks ago hedging our bets against a sharp downturn in the temperature pattern.
A hard freeze would burst the waterlines costing precious time for repairs in our spring rush. Although we've heard rumors of farmers planting corn already in southern Wisconsin we've tried not to let our excitement over the early warmth go to our heads. It hasn't been easy with the frogs and birds already proclaiming spring in March. Now that the calendar reads April and the forecast continues to show lows above freezing we feel justified making the leap.