April is FINALLY here. I keep thinking spring is around the corner, but the days approaching April 1st, with a couple of exceptions, have been anything BUT springlike!
High winds, rain, snow flurries leaving a thin white layer on everything, making the schools’ spring break very much like the tail end of winter.
A walk around our property the other day with my grandson, revealed more than several downed trees, one large and still alive, but with a shallow root system that was unable to hold its own against soggy ground and relentless winds.
My porch rocking chairs have been in a prone position for weeks now. Every time I would stand them up, a wind would come whistling across the porch, and down they would go. Just recently, morning temps were in the 18-22 degree range. Again! A dear friend said of Mother Nature – this is not winter – this is harassment! I totally agree.
Last month’s Daylight Savings was most welcome. My chickens are laying eggs in abundance with the longer days, although they have no clue about DST. I hope to incubate some eggs again this year, but will wait until weather is more predictably warm.
The snow drops, daffodils, grape hyacinths, dead nettle, apple and pear blossoms, are blooming as they should. But even they were probably not expecting this cold. Mr. Green Jeans’ trees form a gorgeous white floral allee along my driveway, a spectacle we look forward to every spring. I shouldn’t be surprised by the weather. Recently, on social media, some friends posted the births of their baby goats. Why is it, that tiny goatlets pick the coldest nights to make their arrival? Calves, and lambs seem to pick the coldest nights also. Every year, it seems the same.
Very soon, manure will be spread on our hay fields, permeating the air with that smell that promises fertile soil and green grasses. I have to keep the dog away from the fields for awhile, lest he find some choice tidbits out there, to roll in or eat, that will later be “gifted” back to me when he throws it back up in my bedroom in the middle of the night!
We had the opportunity recently, to twice visit JMU’s Edith J. Carrier Arboretum. Some of the trees are flowering, with the bright pink azaleas peeking though the stands of trees. I can’t believe I had never been there before. Both times we went with my grandchildren, who absolutely loved running along the paths, over bridges, and exploring the children’s faerie garden with the giant troll, as did I. I can’t wait for true warmer weather to visit again, and to go back when the greenhouses there have their plant sale.
April brings with it the proverbial April showers, April Fool’s Day, Easter, local town Easter Egg Hunts, Tax Day, Heritage Day, sports, Broadway Community Yard Sale, Broadway Emergency Squad Spring Fling Sale, Gary E. Post Fishing Day. Timberville’s JJ’s has opened- long awaited and celebrating its 40th (!) year, and in Broadway, the new Sweets Ice Cream made its debut. Blue Ribbon Nursery is stocked with all your plant needs, wants, and must haves, along with offering monthly classes to create all sorts of plant related things. J&B Country Store will have their monthly Open House with food, vendor sales, and music, along with their twice a month needle felting classes. April brings with it all sorts of avenues of escape from being housebound all winter. I know we all look forward to real spring coming very soon. As we go through the month of April together, I hope the weather is kind to us, and we all enjoy being outdoors, working in our gardens, and attending all the events April brings.
All is well, at Mountain Meadows Farm.
