1012 am - 38 degrees - overcast, windy, raining...
...even if it’s only symbolically. Yesterday marked the spring equinox, it
signaled the end of the astronomical winter in the northern hemisphere. Yet the signs of winter are still hanging
on. This morning it was 36 degrees
outside and we still have very large patches of dirty snow all over the place.
On a dreary, cold, windy, rainy
day like today, I find myself longing for any sign that spring, and warmer
temperatures, may be nearing. I’ve
already started day dreaming about the warmer days, the start of everything
turning green, the fading of the winter, what we’re going to plant in our
garden, firing up the grill, hanging out with family and friends around a
roaring bonfire and 9pm sunsets!
Even with the chilly temperatures and the slowly melting snow, there are a few small signs that spring is truly on its way, from the new huckleberry buds to the tiny green onion sprouts in our mini herb garden.
The wildlife are also coming out of hiding. I haven't heard the little drummers yet (aka Ruffed Grouse) but we're starting to see them more and more. Soon enough we should start hearing that unusual mating call; the courting ritual of the forest birds, that strangely enough you feel more than hear. It's an unmistakable "thump...... thump...... thump... whir-r-r-r-r-r!" of a male ruffed grouse "drumming".
