Hopeful Signs

 
Ways to tell winter is leaving:

• When I arrive at the cabin the water jugs are not frozen solid.
• The olive oil and salsa don’t need to be thawed out in the microwave before I can use them.
• The cold that emanates from the uninsulated floor only comes up about a few inches, rather than a foot, so my feet aren’t as cold.
• My bed doesn’t feel like it’s been well chilled.
• The temperature inside the cabin is above 20 degrees.
• For the first few hours after I arrive I don’t need to sit at my computer wearing my knit hat, parka and fingerless gloves.
• With sun is tracking higher, it’s touching parts of the cabin it didn’t reach all winter.
• I  can leave the front door open, to hear the winds through the trees and bird cries (bottom).

 

When I go out for a walk, the light is different—fuller, less stingy, more luxurious; even the clouds look different. And I’m hearing new bird calls I haven’t heard all winter. The ground is no longer frozen solid but gives under my feet; in fact, with the melting snow, in places it’s downright squishy. I don’t mind my muddy boots; they’re a good sign. Still, I see almost no one else walking on the roads.

This week, for the first time since October, I was able to sit on my deck, albeit in a place sheltered from the winds and in the sun. The sun still feels good—comforting and not too hot.

And yet, even in this warm and almost snowless winter, the snow hangs on up on the north-facing slopes and in the woods. The creeks and ponds are mostly still frozen, although I’m starting to see openings in the water, like giant blue eyes set in the white snow, and the tufts of dried yellow grass in the meadow are still bowed down from winter’s onslaught. The ground squirrels have not yet emerged from hibernation.

I’ve been carrying snow to the base of my trees, especially the tall ponderosas, from the shaded areas where it hasn’t melted. I have no idea if these small offerings will make a dent in the lack of water they’ve been receiving this winter, but I feel I have to do something, even if it’s a useless gesture.

The weather forecasters are saying it’s too late to hope for enough moisture to end the drought, so now I will have to wait for the whatever comes this summer. In the meantime, I’ll look for more signs of spring.

Comments

[shoney]

I love this post....it feels full of joy and hope for spring. Also the photos!

[Julene Bair]

Blessed return of warm days! Let's hope for some rain to go with them.

[Laurel]

Ooh, sounds positively balmy! Mud and everything! How exciting. Still waiting here. In fact, I've been iced in for a few days and after some fresh snow last night to cover up the glare ice am hoping I can finally get out today - some fresh food would be nice. Bring on spring!

[Melanie Mulhall]

Kathy, you have put it all in perspective with that post. Melanie