Fickle Spring

What a difference one week makes. Last week we had 5 inches of rain on Monday morning followed by 4 inches of snow Tuesday morning. It melted that afternoon so I was able to get out on Wednesday to do some errands but the weatherman was joking around again. He was saying we would get a major snowfall on Thursday but what the heck does he know. It was warm and sunny. Thursday morning dawned cloudy and you could feel rain in the air but it was still in the forties. Right. My noon that changed to mid thirties with mixed precipitation. By 5 pm it was starting to cover the ground. The power was out by 9pm and I awoke on Friday to nearly 12 inches of snow. I got to practice my survival skills as I stoked up the woodburning stove in the den, got out oil lamps to light up the darker rooms, and started to think of food. Fortunately, I have a gas stove in the kitchen that isn't so modern that it won't let the gas come through when there is no power. I couldn't use the oven but the range top was fine.

The silence of it all was incredible. I took a long walk that morning with my camera in hand. I have some wonderful shots that I plan to use on my websites. The livestock seemed to be taking it in stride. The goats, queens at not getting wet, were huddled in their house. The horses were chasing each other around to get their blood pumping but having fun nonetheless. The dogs were out for adventures along the edge of the woods. They managed to flush a rabbit but it quickly escaped back into the brush. It was a glorious time and more magical because of the isolation. No noices were heard above the gentle falling snow and the occassional crack as the weigh of snow broke a limb. This had to be a sample of some portion of Heaven.

Back to reality. The power came back Saturday. The snow disappeared over the following two days and by Monday, it was warming up again. I was anxious for my garden and wondered how my recently planted lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower would fare. All perked back up as if never weighed down by snow. It was as if they had taken a nap under a gentle blanket but were now back awake and chipper.

This week was warm and sunny; just the type of days you want to be outside doing things but the ground was literally standing in water even on the slopes. It was oozing out and running off everywhere. I was finally able to get a bit of planting done on Friday as well as clean flowerbeds to uncover the tulips that are already about 3 inches tall. I can't wait for their blooms to join the daffodils.

We are now expecting several more inches of rain Monday and Tuesday so I have no idea when I can get the rest of my cool season veggies planted. I guess I will start them in containers for transplant rather than wait any longer. I just have to get my hands in the dirt. It is time and I long for it.

Happy gardening.