Tomorrow is the first day of spring - let us rejoice and be glad of it. One of the most stimulating things about living at this mile-high elevation is the unpredictable nature of the weather. Just last week we had very chilly wind that was followed by snow falling from dark grey skies - and then, the promise of approaching warm days.
This morning, as I shuffled down our long dirt driveway to pick up the Sunday newspaper, I scented spring in the air. The desert morning sprung to life as insects and birds hummed about in flight. I took a moment to study the beauty and color of newly blossomed daffodils. Last spring my husband and I rode our motorcycle over the mountain to Daffodil Hill, but the McLaughlin's family farm was closed "due to rain, hail and snow." They are scheduled to be open this spring starting this weekend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - "pending weather." Call (209) 296-7048 for up-to-date information.
We usually take a little ride over the mountain to tour the "Gold Country" every spring but we wait until April when the weather is more predictably warm. Our chickens have finally warmed up as the two "yard hens" started laying eggs once again. Finally! They've probably been laying for the last two weeks or so as my husband found a big nest full of frozen eggs hidden behind a large board out in the barn. Norbert only found one fresh, brown egg that was laid in a warm spot under the nesting box. Guess we'll have to fight over it for breakfast!
Outside my window now I can see several rabbits and lots of quail birds. Looks like they're starting to pair up - oh, the joys of spring. A pair of black starlings have been diligently building their nest just above our upstairs bedroom window for the past week. And what about the trees? The deciduous trees in our yard are already sending up their sap and the large elm and red maple are leafing out! This presents a big problem because no doubt we'll have more snowstorms. If we get a late snowfall that's very wet and heavy and the trees are already leafed out, their branches may break. That kind of unpredictable weather happens many times over the years. I wish the trees would just hold down their juices for a few more weeks, but that's hard to do when the weather starts warming and the days get longer.
In my 25 years living out here in Fish Springs, I have experienced freezing weather on "Mother's Day," snow in June during our daughter's graduation from Douglas High School, a heat wave in February, floods in winter and floods in summer. Heck, floods can come any time of the year! Temperature changes of 40 degrees from day to night are not unusual.
As I sit at my kitchen table with the warmth of the sun on my back, I keep thinking of the scriptural words put to song by Pete Seeger:
"For every season, turn, turn, turn
There is a reason, turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under Heaven."
Spring is here, it's time to rejoice and be glad of it!
n Linda Monohan can be reached at 782-5802.
