Category Archives: Spring

A Spring Walk

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On Saturday, we grew restless. I picked up our old (very old, low res) Kodak digital camera and started for the door. Sylvia asked, “Where are you going?” I replied, “I’m going to walk along the road to see if that log down by the low ground is still poking out of the roadway.” “Mind if I come along?” she inquired. “Get your coat, and let’s go,” was my answer.

Years ago, the county placed some 3 to 4 inch diameter logs across the road to stabilize it where it went through some low (usually wet) ground. Winter freeze had popped one of these up to where it was clearly visible in the middle of the road. Because my main camera is not functioning, I had not captured a photo.

When we got down to the road, I could see that the county road crew had recently graded the road and had put down a new layer of dirt and gravel. It proved to be just as I feared, the log was no longer visible. Sylvia said, “Let’s walk around the corner and see Meghan’s new lambs.” I was all for that as I could already picture the day when one of them would end up in our stew pot.

A few minutes later we could see the lambs and the ewes enjoying the early spring sunshine. Unfortunately, they were on the other side of the pasture lot. The old Kodak camera only has a 2 to 1 zoom ratio, and with low res I wouldn’t capture a suitable image.

Soon the pasture guard came over to check us out. The guard is taller than we are, but she lives up to her name, Grace. I took a couple of steps back as Sylvia greeted Grace.

Honduran sun gave Sylvia a good tan.


Soon our visit was over and we cut across a field to our yard and back home. It had been a very pleasant walk.

We wore our winter coats. The air was cool.

Earliest Spring

Lead-gray sky above,
Thick clouds sent from the great lake,
Earth is cold and damp.

I was late posting today. I woke up yesterday with a lot of pain in my lower back. Today, I’m feeling better.

Last Day of Winter

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My neighbor’s fish pond sans geese. The corn field is in the upper left.


It is March 19, 2009, sunny morning. After I wake and dress, I charge the coffee pot. Then I don coat, cap and gloves. As I go out to feed the cats, I see Pepe on the driveway. Chubby is exploring around the barn, but bounces over to greet me with a loud “Meooow.” I rub her head and she purrs loudly. Then off to the barn for kitty breakfast.

Later as I leave the barn, I’m aware of the frosty air against my face. From across the road I hear the raucous sound of a gaggle of Canada geese that have spent the night along the small stream. Silently two Canada geese glide across the nearest neighbor’s fish pond. If they are looking forward to fish for breakfast, they will be disappointed. The fish died this winter. Lack of sunlight getting into the water caused oxygen producing plants to perish.

About a tenth of a mile away, past the pond, I see a large black spot racing through the corn stubble. What can it be? A dog? It’s big enough to be a coyote. No, dogs don’t move that way. It is, in fact, a large tom turkey running across a mostly open field. He is seeking shelter now that the sun is up. He nears the barn and assumes a more dignified gait now that he is no longer in the open.

A variety of bird calls fill the air. Spring is nearly here.

I enter the house, hang up my coat and go to the kitchen sink to put away the water jar. As I look out the window, two mourning doves fly to and land in the ash trees. The trill of a red-winged black bird wafts on the air.

It’s the final day of winter. It’s good to see it go this way.

More Signs of Spring

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The signs of spring abound. Snow is the latest of these, actually Snow Drops. These beauties grow on the west side of the barn, which means the sun doesn’t reach there until afternoon. For that reason, they are a bit shy in making their first appearance. Yet, here they are springing up through last year’s, now dead, growth.


My digital camera is not working right, but I was able to capture the above image. I’ll have to send it off for warranty repair.

Earlier, I had captured these Crocus blossoms. They grow along the southeast wall of the house. That means they are sheltered from cruel west and north winds. It also means they have warming sun from early morning until mid afternoon.


The sight of these beauties inspired today’s haiku.

Harbinger

The earth is still cold,
The day lengthens and air warms,
Crocus springs to life.

Wednesday morning, Brink Bolthouse, passed away. He was a friend that had Alzheimer’s Disease. His family and friends are saddened by the loss. I find consolation that we are surrounded by spring and the renewal of life.

Spring Comes Early?

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Late last week, it seemed as though spring had come early to west Michigan. We had a couple of days of warmer temperatures and with it came very heavy rain. We even had a thunderstorm. As I sat in my recliner listening to the rain on the roof and the thunder crashes, I wrote this haiku in my notebook:

Thunderstorm

See the startling flash,
Feel the heart stopping thunder,
In the raging rain.

Spring is coming and it’s not very far away.

Six Sure Signs of Spring

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No 6. Canada Geese honk as they fly by in formation.

No 5. The distinctive odor of skunk wafts on the [otherwise] fresh breeze.

No 4. Friendly farmer folk fertilize fields [sniff the otherwise fresh breeze].

No 3. Red, Red Robin seen bob-bob-bobbing along.

No 2. Red-winged black bird on the bird feeder.

No. 1 Sure Sign of Spring. The poor-man’s concrete (frozen earth) melts and the road in front of my house looks like the photo above. No wait. That photo is of the road in front of my house. Does that means it’s spring?