Spring

I guess it doesn't take a whole lotta sense to figure out when Spring arrives. I am sure that all of you are enjoying it in some way or another. Hopefully all of you have been able to get out and really take it all in. For me in this new environment of New Mexico it feels like Mother Nature just cranked up the volume on my senses. Of course there were signs a few weeks ago. The twigs of the willow trees are yellowed up and the reds were really becoming pronounced on the Coyote Willow along the river and asequias. The willow trees were first to leaf out and now our elms are doing the same. the The grass seed that Mark has so diligently planted and cared for like a new born began sprouting and the few spots that it was established began to grow. The chickens started giving us a few more eggs daily. The snow has nearly all melted on the mountains near us. Our native wildflower seeds have sprouted in the many flats we have going. The eight varieties of heirloom tomatoes have shot up and we just repotted them. The lettuces, carrots, spinach, and radishes have finally broken ground. Of course the Cuckoo Maran chicks came home with me four weeks ago are a really flourishing. My cactus collection is greening up and small flower buds are developing on some of them. This week the gate was opened on the asequia and we can now listen to a quite rush of water twenty four hours a day. But what really made a difference was a weekend of occasional rains. Mostly at night, but it was slow and gentle. This morning I went out to check on the Cuckoo chicks, open up the coop door for the big chickens, and throw grains like I do each morning and my nose went into overdrive with the smells of spring. The deep rich smell of the soil was most prominent in the air. I think if you are a gardener like me you begin to develop a nose for soils over the years. The soil in Georgia that I gardened in had a mild scent. The soil in Colorado had a hard woody scent. The soil here has a deep rich sandy, loamy scent. (I know some of you are rolling your eyes and thinking I now should be committed) There is a very mild scent of sage and juniper in the air too. When the sun warms it more I am very sure that I'll be enjoying that deep scent that reminds me of this region. I have had a love for this region since childhood and I am about as happy as can be knowing that I am finally experiencing life and culture here.