Minnesota's second Spring

Every lake we drove past today was at least partially ice out. Many were ice free. Last week's snow has mostly melted. The sun is shining and we're working hard at following the first two rules of living a happy, successful, satisfying life.

1. Don't sweat the small stuff.
2. It's all small stuff.

The maples in front of the house have completed bud burst and look like they're in flower, but don't take our word for it. Check with someone who knows phenology, botany and/or forestry better than we ever will. The picture below, from mid-March several years ago, shows maples at about the same stage they're at this year at nearly mid-April.

red maple in flower(?)

Photo by J. Harrington

The last time we anticipated taking a walk back into our local swamp to see if the skunk cabbage had emerged, we seem to have triggered a multi-day snow storm. Therefore, we aren't going to mention whether or not we're going to take one of the dogs for a soul-satisfying hike tomorrow or Tuesday. We will, however, report back after the deed is done. We are also going to start really looking forward to watching for wildflowers blooming and leafout starting over the next few weeks. Seeing the bright yellow of marsh marigolds will help us shake what's left of our Winter doldrums. But, most of all, we're looking forward to getting outside and feeling the sun's warmth on our shoulders. It's been quite awhile.

marsh marigold in bloom

Photo by J. Harrington

Spring (Again) 

Michael Ryan

The birds were louder this morning,
raucous, oblivious, tweeting their teensy bird-brains out.
It scared me, until I remembered it’s Spring.
How do they know it? A stupid question.
Thank you, birdies. I had forgotten how promise feels.

********************************************
Thanks for visiting. Come again when you can.
Please be kind to each other while you can.