Up the Ladder

Spring is creeping in even though the snow lingers and the temperatures are cool. Yesterday we spotted a small "v" of Canada Geese, and there was a pair of mallards in the pond. The day before that I heard and then saw a red-wing blackbird, a scout as it was alone. I've seen a robin in town, but not out here. There was a coyote in our field last week, and today one ran across the highway in front of us. All these creatures have made it through a hard winter, I hope the late spring doesn't do them in.

I walked down the snowy path to the barn this morning, kicking aside the bigger chunks of ice to more quickly melt the path. The sun was blazing, although it was only hovering around the freezing mark. The snow has crystallized and with some raspberry cordial or some other flavour other than lemon (I'd stay away from lemon for obvious reasons) I'd have a lovely sno cone. Except the tiny snow bugs are starting to emerge. Nix that idea!

Melting snow is nice, BUT, the mud that is released from its frozen bonds is not as welcome. I've been wiping muddy feet after each outing - usually Bella's as the other two seem better at saying out of the puddles.

Carm has been pounding away in the garage and workshop fixing our garage door opener. It was working fine... and then it wasn't. It is something that we've taken for granted these past 20 years, but with a few hours of figuring, a trip to the city for a part and a bunch of time up the ladder (even me!) Carm got it fixed.

Every winter, When the great sun has turned his face away, The earth goes down into a vale of grief, And fasts, and weeps, and shrouds herself in sables, Leaving her wedding-garlands to decay - Then leaps in spring to his returning kisses. ~Charles Kingsley