The Green Sloth

If you have children who watch Animal Planet, then you may have been introduced to the sloth.  It's funny, but that slow-moving animal is exactly what I keep thinking about in regard to Spring this year.

I've been watching for changes in my backyard for the past few weeks.  I keep waiting for the little buds to appear and spread their green across the bare branches of the scrub oak trees.  The truth is, while the aspens have budded (and then frozen, turning a sickly black), the scrub oak are as barren as they were when the snow began to fly last Fall.  

I can't help but compare the slow progress of my landscape's rebirth to the slowness of the sloth.  Did you know that the sloth can remain motionless for nearly indefinite amounts of time?  And that it can sleep for 20 hours a day?  That it is so slow-moving that it actually turns green from the algae that grows on its fur?  I think Spring has taken on a slothful nature and complacency.  I wish I could shake things up a bit and get things moving!  I'm afraid that if the little buds don't get to work soon, the only green I'll be seeing on my trees this year is that same algae that grows on the back of the sloth!

April Snow

It's April, and the forsythia is blooming in the valley.  The tulips and daffodils are shyly peeking from their beds.  There are kittens and bunnies and little, blue birds...  But this month that (at least in my mind) typifies annual renewal is still aslumber in my neighborhood. 

It snowed last night.   It wasn't a howling, pelting, winter snow.  Instead, it fell quietly in the night, settling into cracks and crevices...  Muting the sounds of the night, and dampening the usual activities of nature.  The dense white carpeted everything, obscuring the fine lines of the landscape.  The thick whiteness gathered in the crooks of limbs.  It lay where it fell, not swept into drifts, but rather accumulating where it alighted.

Lola enjoyed the spring surprise.  Without the wind to torment her, the downy ground cover made for a joyful morning out.  She explored the newly fresh backyard.  She ran and bounded, jumped and chased.   Her enthusiasm unhindered by her cold, damp surroundings.  I wish The Buddies were still on Spring Break.  This is the perfect snow for building a snowman and for launching an attack of the snowball variety.  I hope there's enough snow left by the end of the day for one last wintry outing.

Of course, with my luck, there will be plenty more opportunities for fun in the snow.  This is, you may recall, the land of Perpetual Winter.  We may find ourselves snowed in at least one more time before the Fourth of July!

Signs of Spring

Spring Break came a little late this year.  It's the second week of April, and we've been enjoying a little time off from homework and career obligations.  From the looks of things outside our cabin windows, you wouldn't think it looks much like spring, but there are signs...

  

 

Our celebrations included jubilant joyrides down the hillside, 

quick turns on the snowmobile, 

snow forts and tunnels, snowball fights, 

and all the requisite, accompanying diversions.  

We sat around the fire, toasted marshmallows for s'mores, drank hot chocolate, and ate our fill of Easter candy.  But the true indication that Spring was imminent was the appearance of this little guy.  

I don't purport to be a birdwatcher, and I'm no ornithologist, but as far as I'm concerned, this little guy is a pretty good indicator of Spring.  Every year, he shows up with his charming mate and they move into the birdhouse on the north side of the cabin. 

And for the record, Summer will have officially arrived when we hear the tiny peeps of their multiplying, little family.

First Day of Spring

The First Day of Spring.  It came and went--and I missed it!  I was too busy throwing a frisbee to a puppy, sitting out in the sunshine, going for a walk (and then another one), running errands with the sunroof open...  Oh.  Maybe I didn't miss it after all!

Happy Spring, everyone!

Warmer

No more tender snowflakes.  The wind-drifted snow is no longer light and fluffy, now resembling crystal and glass instead of lofty down.  The early breath of spring has burnished the mounds of snow to create polished swaths of translucent cornices and weeping icicles.

The grass is peeking through the bleached landscape.  Reluctant to make an appearance.  Hesitating lest it be too soon.

The trees are skeptical.  Feeling the sunshine, yet sensing the chill of the still indecisive elements. 

Spring is coming...  Swirling through the branches and across the valley.  It may retreat, but it's here for a brief moment and I will enjoy it while it lasts.

  

A Lucky Neighborhood

This is the month of leprechauns, rainbows, and pots of gold.  

The month of luck and superstition.  

What an apropos time to find my neighborhood adorned by
this colorful symbol of good fortune!

Now, if I could just convince that patch of four-leaf clover to grow!

So, this is summer?

I know I've discussed my seasonal confusion before, but apparently I'm still suffering from it. Is this summer? Or is this spring? Do we decide based upon calendar, temperature, length of daylight? I'm leaning toward it being spring... But I don't base that on anything logical. So, I guess I'm open to suggestions about appropriate terminology.

My kids are equally confused. JJ is still insisting on wearing long sleeves for fear of getting cold (with shorts, of course). I can't convince him that it's unlikely given the 88* forecast. Of course, the snow forecast for the mountains this weekend doesn't really promote confidence in the warming weather, does it?

But Max is a little more confident of sunshine and cloudless days. He started things off with a splash when he fell in the lake yesterday. (Don't worry grandma! The Mister rescued him promptly and was wearing a life vest!). He was dumped out of the tube... He can't wait to have another go at it!

Zeke just asked me (for the umpteenth time) if he has school tomorrow. I responded (for the umpteenth time) that he won't go back to school until after the summer vacation... A vacation that will include swim lessons, tumbling, music lessons, trips to the cabin, picnics, afternoons at the park, and the inevitable trip to the ER for stitches (best case) and/or x-rays and plaster (worst case)... As a side note--remind me why this is called summer vacation... It doesn't sound exactly vacation-y to me...

Anyway! Regardless of whether this is spring or summer, it's starting out well. The weather really is beautiful. The flowers along the roadside are cheerful and friendly. The crickets were chirping up a chorus last night... And, maybe best of all, we picked up the Volvo yesterday, and today I enjoyed cruising with the sunroof open. It is in much improved condition, aside from a misaligned headlamp which still needs readjusting.

We've been giving the grill a workout, and I bought marshmallows yesterday. I can almost taste the S'mores! Spring--Summer--doesn't matter. I'm loving it!

Springtime Snowballs

After a long winter of snow storms, snowdrifts, snow plows, and and snow men... This is the only snow I want to see in my front yard for quite some time... Like, maybe until October... Although November would be nice--but I know that's asking too much!

But aren't they purty?! Plump bunches of blossoms, all gathered into perfect little pom-pons. I love these cute little snowballs!

Proof of Spring

I've been holding out on you. I've been showing photos of my wintry home to elicit sympathy. But the truth is, I have proof of spring.

Does anything say spring quite like a squirmy bundle of fluff? No, I didn't think so...

This is one of the four little cuties who arrived (without fanfare) on Easter evening. While I wasn't looking forward to adding to our collection of pets, even I have to admit that these are four, very cute little additions.

Let me know if you are in need of a fluffy companion in your home. We'll be looking for four very good homes in the near future.

A Spring Pictorial

This was our view 10 days ago.  Brrr.  

This was our view 8 days ago.  A little sunshine.

This is our tender aspen tree.  Fingers crossed that the deer leave it alone.

This is our view today...  Or maybe lack of a view--we're fogged in...

Spring in Utah.  You just never know...

Ahhhh Spring...

Each morning I see the sun crest over the mountains.  The jagged peaks are still snow covered, but the snow is no longer light and fluffy.  Instead, it looks smooth and shiny from being melted and refrozen.  

No longer am I greeted by the soulful gray skies of winter.  Now, the sky warms under the golden sun to a beautiful, rich blue...   Even the clouds are more buoyant--plump and soft, no longer heavy and damp-looking...

The foothills are morphing from muddy, brown splotches into gently rolling mounds comprised of increasing amounts of green.  Their inviting appearance compelling explorers of both the human and animal kind...

The trees outside my window are still sadly naked.  But the little buds are swelling...  Soon they will be bursting to unfurl their tender leaves.  Before long, there will be dappled light streaming through the window instead of unbroken shafts of sunlight.

The forsythia is exclaiming it's happiness with a show of flashy yellow blooms.  The bees and butterflies are proclaiming their joy as well.  The birds chirp cheerfully as they greet their little friends.  It's a happy and friendly time of year...

It's a truly beautiful time.  Days full of growth and rebirth and hopeful promises.   Springtime!  Ahhhhh, spring...

A-A-A-Achoo!  

Oh, yes... and let's not forget the pollen...  the swirling, infiltrating, scourge of spring...  Isn't it tragic that the beginning of allergy season coincides with this beautiful time of year...  yippee, spring...  I can hardly wait...

April Showers?

Some people just can't believe how much snow we're getting in mid-April...  

This picture of The Mister was taken early this morning...

View from My Window

Caught this little doe outside my window this morning.  

I think she was surprised by the thick blanket of snow.  

Do you think she's enjoying the beautiful spring weather?

Hope she can find something to eat out there!

Do you think she likes waffles?

Utterly Confused

Some of you read my post yesterday and decided that I'm unintelligent. I'm aware that many of you can't fathom my confusion about spring. Truly, I am trying to understand the concept of this "mild" month. But the definition of spring, and more importantly, what to expect from spring, continue to allude me.

Maybe these photos will help explain my confusion.

Yesterday..

Today...

Yesterday...

Today...

Does that help you understand my confusion?

Hello Spring--Glad to Meet You.

I'm confused. Does the commencement of spring coincide with a certain date, an awaited event, or a specific temperature? I have to admit, I'm a little perplexed about this whole spring thing. And because of my location, spring's arrival is at best, tentative. So that makes identifying this elusive season even more tricky.

Today was a warm day (relatively speaking--as opposed to the blizzard of two days ago). It felt just a little like spring. It even looked a little like spring. The sun was out, and actually turned on. The warmth flooded my car as it sat at the curb near the soccer field. In fact, although I needed my coat for the soccer game this morning, by afternoon I had to shed it to avoid wilting in the sunshine.

Another clue that it might possibly be spring is the anxiety in The Mister's voice. He is becoming marginally frantic. He is rifling through piles of files in preparation of our annual appointment with The Tax Man... And the pastel-infused palate of spring is apparent in catalog photos, shop windows, and M&Ms.

If we're looking at the calendar, it would appear that spring has sprung. Pictures of flowers and blossoms abound. Puppies and kittens are the iconic figures of the current month. And yet, somehow, I still find myself unsure.

Maybe I just don't understand spring.

I know summer. That's when you put on shorts and flip flops and daydream about swimming pools. It's when the grass grows green and the bees buzz and the wind is more of a welcoming breeze.

I also understand fall. That's when the kids go back to school and the sweaters come out of the closet. The colors change, the wind has a bite, and the fireplace is a great place to gather.

Winter is easy. Snow, boots, coats, and pink cheeks. Sniffles, goosebumps, and shivering... It's easy to recognize winter.

But spring? I guess the consensus is that this is, in fact, spring... But I'm still wearing my winter sweaters. I'm still temped to bask in the warmth of the fireplace. The precipitation from last week came in the form of flakes instead of droplets. The wind still has a bite which is very reminiscent of fall. And the thought of swimming pools just evokes visions of polar bears...

Even though I'm still not convinced of the arrival of spring, I may be ready to do some spring cleaning. But I think I'll draw the line there. I'm not sure I'm prepared for the rest... I'm not ready for light cottons. I'm not ready for picnics or barbecues. I refuse to wear flip flops until the snow melts. I know April 15 is looming, but receipts, statements, and W-2s will just have to wait. So, spring? If you're really here, Welcome. I look forward to getting to know you.

I Looked Out the Window...

...And what did I see? Well, it certainly wasn't popcorn popping on the apricot tree!

It's snowing. Again. And it's drifting across my street. The snow plow driver has been here at least twice today, and it's already bad again.

I'm beginning to wonder if I didn't pay attention to the weather unit in elementary school. Isn't it "in like a lion, out like a lamb?" Was there a second verse? Something that involved white-out conditions and horizontally blowing ice crystals that sting your face??? Yeah. I don't really remember that verse at all... Let me know if you remember the words to that verse...

Last week I enjoyed the sun on my face, and even the beginnings of a sunburn. Today, the only burn I'm likely to get will happen in the kitchen.

So, for those of you who have a tanning bed tucked away in an upstairs bedroom. Don't use it. If you do, you'll certainly look like a tourist when you come to visit. Because all of us locals? We're still digging out from the latest snow storm!

Glorious Spring!

Despite my great love affair with winter, I'm actually looking forward to spring this year. Last year I was out of town when spring actually sprung! When I left, my neighborhood was enrobed in drab browns and grays. Upon my return, I was greeted by trees, topped by an ebullient green haze. And slender blades of grass, just poking through the newly thawed ground. It was glorious!

The past few days have been such a welcome reminder of the restorative powers of spring. The sunshine warms as it heals the wounds of winter. The wind blown trees are standing a little straighter. Even the weeds look appealing as they cheerfully spread across the barren ground.

The thick blanket of winter conceals. It softens shapes, soothes harsh angles, hides the spent. And as winter progresses, there is something desirable in that. But with spring, there is truly a magical sense of renewal. Spring always emerges with an unrestrained sense of exuberance. Those soft, rounded shapes of winter are suddenly thrust into the spotlight and pulled into clear focus. I restlessly await the blossoms on the plum and pear trees. I yearn for the upheaval of spring bulbs, bursting from the ground with their cheerful yellows blooms. I long for breezes, full of the fragrance of new growth.

Spring is coming, I can feel it in the air--and I can hardly wait! Welcome Spring!