Oh, what a blissful fealing! No more snow on Ken’s yard and he can finally begin all the spring chores outside.
Looks like Elisabeth is planning a pot and rock garden this year.
Ken hopes that the others would take part in chopping the firewood.
Being out of work has given Ken a chance to do all kinds of lovely things that take a lot of time.
Like knitting a warm blanket.
It’s Ken’s first school day. Kaarna asks if he’s nervous, but Ken says:
- Not one bit! I have my laptop, my pencil and my notebook! I have a big mug of tea and some cookies. And my new blanket! Everything’s perfect!
- Have a nice day then! I’m going out.
It starts to snow. This is an exceptionally cold April after an exceptionally warm winter. Nothing is normal nowadays.
Kaarna doesn’t feel like taking photos anymore.
- Fuck us humans for destroying the planet.
Kaarna visits the art museum to see the new exhibition of a Finnish photographer Jaakko Kilpiäinen, who has taken pictures of functionalism in architecture.
The photos are beautiful and Kaarna thinks that it would actually be impossible to take bad pictures of buildings this stunning. Functionalism is her favorite style.
When Kaarna returns home in the afternoon she finds Ken sleeping under his studies.
- Ken, did you sleep during the lecture?
- No… I just didn’t have any energy to get up after it. My head is exploding. There are so many different kinds of user interfaces to learn. Every teacher uses a different one. It’s overwhelming.
- Those assholes, Kaarna laughs.
In the next morning Ken wakes up at the North Pole.
He clears his way through the snow to get to the other side of the house.
- Oh I wish the toilet was closer. I’ve become such a comfort-seeking old geezer these days.
- Morning, Ken. I hope we don’t have to leave the house before the spring really is here.
- We don’t. I have enough common sense to store food in the freezer and cupboards in case of emergencies.
After the blizzard starts the heavy rain that continues for days. It melts away the snow, but doesn’t envourage anyone to go outside.
Ken pushes himself through the school days while Kaarna hardly even gets out of bed.
But then it happens! The spring really starts! Kaarna comes dancing to have breakfast with Ken.
- Listen to all the birds!!!!
Mari has bought a new an ridicilously expensive ebike. She asks if Kaarna wants to join her for a test drive.
Kaarna is delighted to hear that not only Mari is awake this early but she even wants to spend time outdoors.
Mari is happy with her new ebike, but Kaarna doesn’t enjoy this activity at all.
She can’t keep up with the pace. What’s the point of biking together when the faster one doesn’t wait for the slower one?
After the school day Ken is mentally exhausted, but his body needs to get moving. So he goes for a walk with Hector and Sulo and they are all excited about the awekening of the nature. Hector says:
- Just imagine if we didn’t have the winter at all. Then we wouldn’t appreciate the spring this much!
The first edible wild plants have pushed themselves out of the ground. Ken can make his favorite salad today.
It’s time to bring out the table and chairs. The evening sun makes the yard a paradise again. It seems that the whole village has woken up after a winter hibernation. Children are screaming on their trampolines and running back and forth on the streets. Mopeds and chain saws are roaring… and the birds are chirping!
- Where did Hector disappear, Kaarna asks.
- He said he has to go and take something from his car.
Hector comes with a chain saw!
- Here, Ken. I bought a new saw, and now you can have this old one. It’s about time for you to learn how to use it!
- No no no no no!!!!!!
- Yes yes yes. I’ll give you a lesson next weekend.
- Nooooooooo….
One cold morning when Ken is about to begin an another school day at home, the house starts to tremble!
He had totally forgotten that the plumming operation begins today. Two excavators arrive and start digging the yard.
Ken and Elisabeth admire the results of the contractor’s work. Ken says:
- You’ve done a great job, Elisabeth. This would’ve never happened without you. I’m so glad you are a part of this housing co-operative.
But Kaarna is very disappointed. The whole yard has been dug upside down and not a single secret burial ground has been found!
- These boots weigh a ton! And the jacket is heavy too! I can’t hear or see anything with this helmet.
- Not negotiable, Ken!
- I give up! This is too hard, I’m a weak old man!
Hector continues with the saw and Ken takes the axe.