Last year, March came in like a lamb, and this year we have again enjoyed a pleasant beginning to the new month. In fact, the temperature has been a bit milder than it was at this time last year. A cool wind has been blowing, but the warmth of the March sun is not to be denied. The snow and ice melts away a bit more each day under the sun’s persistent gaze.
The river has been gradually opening as the ice melts away. Areas where the snow was cleared away now turn muddy every day and then the ground freezes again at night as the temperature drops.
The fields are still covered in snow, but more and more grassy stems are being revealed.
The pond is still covered with ice, but the snow is melting away from the base of trees, leaving wells of open ground.
We may still have another winter storm or two coming our way that will replenish the diminishing snow, but the trees know that summer is on its way. The maple buds are swollen and red.
I walked down the hedgerow at the edge of the field today to look for my favorite early sign of spring, and sure enough, high up in the treetops the first white catkins could be seen peeking out. Spring is at hand.
Willow House Chronicles 
It’s lioning here today, but we’re promised a lamby, sunny, 8-degree Saturday.
Your third photo illustrates perfectly the usefulness of mud rooms.
At least the lion doesn’t stay long in March. The mud tracked in isn’t too bad with just two adults. I am both saddened and relieved not to have 3 pairs of smaller feet coming and going in mud season.
Love the second picture. I don’t think anyone will care if March goes out like a lion; we know it’s the end of the season, which, this year, has been eerily snow-free.
Well, snow-free for some. But this winter was definitely easier than last year’s.
It’s funny that we got that big dump of snow back in December, and then it stuck around all winter but there was hardly any additional accumulation on top of it. Till just recently, anyway.
Ah, mud season! Such fond memories. The half of our driveway that’s under the pines is still an inch thick with ice (quite slippery ice, at that), but the parts closer to the house, out in the open, are open and muddy and slippery. Fortunately our footpaths are still covered, at least for now.
And pussy willows! I haven’t looked for any here yet.
Isn’t the resilience and tenacity of nature amazing? Lessons well learnt on the cycles of life. Positivity all the way and expectation all the way.
What a nice thought, Momcat, and so true. Thank you.
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