3.12.2015

A New Wind

This week, we saw the first robin, heard the first sound of water running, and saw the first patch of ground appear in several months.

Yesterday, I called my mom to borrow Dad's bit and brace to tap the maple trees. He used it when he was a teenager, so it's as close to a family heirloom as we've got, and he usually brought it up for me, complete with verbal instructions on how to treat it so that it would last for several more generations. His voice rang through my head as I drilled.

I'm still waiting to hear the first red-winged blackbird. When I do, I'll believe that spring has come at last.

6 comments :

Leah T. said...

When looking at the weather forecast all I could think about was tapping maple trees! How we miss it up here in the north country. Hope you are blessed with an abundance of sap and syrup! :)

I'm anxiously awaiting the appearance of robins (and red-winged blackbirds)! So thankful to see the piles of snow melting with some patches of bare ground visible! And we're getting some RAIN today! It has been ever so long since we've had rain. :)

Praying that we're able to make a trip down to Nanticoke next month! Can't wait to see you all again! <3

cadie said...

I love the call of red-winged blackbirds and associate it with spring, as well. I associate it with moist, wet ground and the smell of spring...

Abigail said...

Leah,

For real?!!! We would love to see you all! You're welcome to stay here, of course, for sleeping or meals or whatnot or whatever, if you need to. We'll welcome as much time with you as we can!

So glad, too, for the birdsong emerging and those patches of mud. :)

Cadie,
You got it! Soon. Soon.

cadie said...

On a six-mile walk around the block yesterday, I saw a large flock of red-winged blackbirds in a tree, making quite a ruckus. The rest of the walk was eerily silent. Today, a large number of them are outside our house, even while it snows!

Rebecca said...

I've seen quite a few red-winged blackbirds and even some rather stout robins. Even more awful to see the snow flurrying about the window.

Abigail said...

Cadie,
Our "block" is six miles, too! Maybe that's the standard block size for country living. We just saw our first flock three days ago, and I stood on our lawn for quite a while watching and listening to the cacophony. It made my heart leap a bit. I guess I'm ready for spring.

Rebecca,
Spring will come. (Repeat thirty times and then begin again.)