First signs of spring

When I was a kid March meant making islands out of the slushy snow. We would drag one foot round and round until we had a nice flat slush patty then jump on it and make it splash everywhere. Another favorite game was carving channels in the snow then watch newly melted water trickle where we led it, sparkling in the spring sunlight.

Like me today we wore our heavy winter coats hanging open, not ready to trust that spring had arrived.

Signs of spring are everywhere. The first red-winged blackbirds are choosing their territory and starting to call. Flocks of grackles tutting, chickadees singing, Canada Geese in pairs getting ready to nest.