Spring Break and Goodby March

When I lived in Silverton, down in the ravine, with tall trees all around me, I didn't like the wetness of Spring.  Now that I am out in the country with big windows, rolling hills, and miles of sky to gaze upon, I notice the ever changing weather patterns and it makes Spring so exciting and it doesn't feel like constant drizzle.  I had learned to appreciate the blooming trees, shrubs, and bulbs in town with the colors that come only in April and May so despite the rain, it was my second favorite season.  I noticed right away when we moved here 2 Springs ago, that when you are surrounded by grassfields and native trees the color of Spring is mostly just green - growing grasses and new leaves.  I missed all those bright colors and I think that it partly why it was so important to me to plant trees and shrubs so I could get color back into my landscape.  I see Spring now as the most wonderful season, possibly tying with early Autumn!  I love watching everything come to life and watching the storms roll in and out.  I love feeling the wind change directions, opening the door to listen to the drip drops, hearing the birds singing.  I love watching the bird migration, the pairing off, and nest building.  I especially love watching the swallows as they are air acrobats!












The last Saturday of Spring Break, we attended another rally at the capitol to protest mandatory vaccinations.  It was a poor turnout.  I think the good weather made it hard for people to want to sacrifice their Saturday...at least that is what I am telling myself.  I hope people aren't growing weary.  It is amazing to me how many people don't know about this bill or if they do just shrug their shoulders and say, "Well, I vaccinate so it isn't a big deal."  Having education held hostage as a means of forcing injections into citizens, is a big deal.  We must not lose the right to make choices about our own health care and the health care of our children!  The big picture implications of handing over our bodies to the government is a disaster waiting to happen.  

Playing catch with some of my children.

I love that this girl loves to play in the dirt.  I have one that is not a country girl at all.  She doesn't like to be outside and is not into the farm life.  And I have one that likes mud pies and fort making under the trees.  

Late in the evening, finishing up quadrant 2.  This is all we are doing for now.  We will scrape sod and till the ground where the other quadrants will go and plant directly into the ground.  Seedlings are coming up and I planted cauliflower, broccoli, and kale plants.

Open door, fresh air, splish splashes, tweeting birds, singing frogs, refreshing, humid and mild...ahhh, Spring!

The first morning back (after 2 weeks off) was actually rather pleasant.  It was drizzling out and the lamplight and hot tea were so inviting.  I had a nice quiet devotional time before getting children up and then we had our science class, where I was the lesson leader, and then, piano lessons.  This week, we are back to our regular schedule (with an appointment thrown in) and the older 2 looking forward to going on the Jr. High retreat this weekend.  It is always tough to get back to school.  I don't want to spend the day in the school room, sitting, and since most of what I do is rather tedious and mundane, I find myself longing to be outside, working on the farm.

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