These out-of-town arrivals were promised by their tour group that Missouri would be a great destination for spring dining experiences. Daytime highs in the forties could be guaranteed. Yesterday, the snow and a large flock of Robins arrived at the same time. The birds, fluffed up against the cold, couldn't get to even frozen worms. They seemed to be hanging around the bird feeders wishing they were seed-eaters, perhaps thinking of converting to Vegetarianism.
Groundhog Day dawned bright and sunny but cold and windy. The next day, portending spring despite the groundhog, it was in the 50's. The dive down to five below was admittedly a jolt. Highs in the following days didn't get above freezing.
My seed order from Pinetree Seeds arrived. It's time for me to move the yarn stash off the shelves and lower the grow lights for the cabbages and early annuals. Well, almost time for them. Since moving north, I've learned that February 20 works better than my old February 9 date for starting seeds. I learned the hard way that Spring moves north ten miles a day and will not be hurried.
This year, I did well to get through January with a modicum of complaining about winter. I walked to the river and environs. A mink streaked across my solitary path as I walked my path above the cow pond. That was very exciting.
It was fun watching the myriad birds that came to the feeders: Cardinals, Bluejays, Goldfinches, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Woodpeckers, Purple Finches, Juncos and Sparrows. None of them held still for photographs.
A Forsythia bush out front kept knocking against the house, begging to be let in. In two weeks, the branches I put in water bloomed, with a later batch thinking about it soon. Here they are posing on the cleared part of the kitchen table. The rest of the table is garden catalogs.
As for the Robins, I believe they flew on south and met up for coffee at Denney's, where they made plans to settle in a more hospitable area. At least they are no longer seen here, despite today's melting snow and dazzling sunshine.
