How could I have let all of April rush past without one entry? Already I see green leaves outside my office window, and quack grass fully eight-inches high! The rhubarb is ready to use, the blossoms are opening (slowly, thankfully) on all our fruit trees, and the daffodils are nearly finished.
I've been walking nearly every day to see Spring's progress. I still don't understand how tulips can open wide in the daytime, then close up at night without muscles. They are one of the most athletic flowers I know of. My grandson mowed the whole acre last week, and it could already use another swipe. (I got really compulsive and hand-cut some quack grass that had outgrown the grass by about 6" within view of my kitchen window!)
Autumn's mare had a foal last week whose spindly legs have already increased their diameter by half. We adored his feeble attempts to gain stability; he resembled that phrase of e.e.cummings: "inebriate of air am I, little tippler leaning against the sun." He's ready for the pasture, but moving his mom is a challenge since she's dead set against halters going on or coming off. And our weather has been quite changeable in the Bitterroot: sun, rain, snow, sun, clouds and wind. Can't risk a new skinny spindly colt getting a chill. The German shepherd pup (not quite one yet) is eyeing him curiously; and they have touched noses, each wondering what the heck the other is!
The tempo of spring, perhaps related to the length of the days, is exhausting! Besides the routine homemaking chores there are outdoor chores too: watering baby seedlings, pruning here and there, weeding, checking on the spinach, lettuce and broccoli I planted last month. And the never ending chore of picking up dog deposits. No one else in the family takes that one on. I guess they figure I'm the dog lover, so I should do it--even though they play, pet and enjoy the dogs!
I love Spring evenings when Venus becomes visible over the Bitterroot Mountains, shining without shame, dancing sometimes with and sometimes without the sweet moon. I want to live outdoors again and am fantasizing a net-walled enclosure for the late summer hot nights. Dogs in, us outside, even though it's not the wilderness.
And now the ditch is running which means our irrigation pump will soon have enough water to begin that process. The dogs and I love the ditch. They romp and run in the 14" wide, 8" deep stream, and I lie down beside it, letting it lull my thoughts and carry away the burdens. I pray at those times for every human on earth to have fresh drinkable water. It was so at one time on the planet, now it is not. Such a sad state of affairs.
So it is here on our little acre in spring. Hoping your outlook carries new beginnings and the promise of nourishment to come.
1 comment:
Welcome back Star,
I saw this post yesterday when I finally came to my blog to also write about spring. It is surely a busy time, this year in extra ways for me too. I return refreshed from time away and re-engage with my own yard and gardens. It is great to have the outdoor progress report from your piece of country. I should love to see that little foal and the dogs running. For me it is simply being able to leave the window open for the cats and let the little dog out walking without a coat. Weather here has been pretty changeable also. I am bringing in asparagus but my rhubarb must be a little behind and peas and beans I planted 2 weeks ago never broke ground.... perhaps too cold and wet. Much to do outdoors for sure and yes, gotta tackle the cooch grass or whatever stubborn grass enjoys every inch you allow it.
I enjoy your writing and hope one day to visit this magical bitterroot valley....... Radha
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