Signs of Spring

After driving through snow flurries on our way back from the States, we wondered what we would find at our cabin. Would the winter snow still cover the meadow? Would the deer mice have taken residency during our absence? Would the cabin feel empty without the presence of our mischievous and companionable cat Yu-Ling? All questions have been answered. The snow is gone, one deer mouse attempted a kitchen raid and did not live to tell the tale, and yes, the cabin is not the same without Yu-Ling’s tiny trill and clown-like antics… hiding his mouse toys in Bob’s boot, or chewing on a cardboard box until it met his specifications. But the daylight hours are lengthening rapidly, the purple crocus bloom, and bright patches of emergent red rhubarb push their heads through the garden soil. The creek - now ice free - is running well, allowing us to power our cabin completely with the bank of batteries (micro-hydro system). No need for the backup generator. But there is one thing I have noticed. Even though this was a mild winter compared to 2006/07, spring is behind by at least three weeks. By this time last year the tree swallows had arrived, and the red alder was full of bright pink catkins. No sign of them yet. And no black bears.

Danny’s old red pickup bumped down our driveway this afternoon. The two black and white farm dogs, Lizzie and Bella trotted along side. The truck pulled a utility trailer full of freshly cut birch. The truck bed was full too. That’s another sign of spring, cutting next winter’s firewood to give it time to dry and season during the warm summer months. Danny (Stephens) stacks the white-barked birch in two rows against the outside wall of the cabin. By fall it will be ready to use in the Pioneer Maid woodstove. The wood comes from some dead standing trees on our property. Danny and his uncle, Ralph Perry, cut and skidded them down from the wooded slope above our cabin. They have been doing this kind of seasonal chore for a lifetime. We are the city yokels, happy to be given a hand.

Danny stacks firewood (Photo by Bob)

... P. L. Morningstar