This past couple of weeks we have had a pattern of two or three mild days followed by heavy rain,sleet or snow showers.The snowdrops did their best and the daffodils are trying hard.But this year the real indicators have happened this week.Woodlice have appeared in the bathroom again and today the cows and their newborn calves were put in the fields opposite the house.The cows have been inside all winter & despite being new mothers were jumping around in a very juvenile fashion.The calves soon began playing tag and begining to eat fresh grass for the first time. Oh,yes the ravens are back too.

What's happening in your neck of the woods?

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2001

Answers

In the past week, hornets have started invading the porch where I sleep. Tossed a bunch outside, but one nailed me in bed.

Also, we don't call it spring here, we call it by its proper name, Mud Season.

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2001

The nuts have all come out of hibernation and hitting the forums? I had to go out and mow the lawn...thats how I know its spring. Also up to my ears in asparagus!

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2001

Chris, same here. We have some nice days with highs in the 50s and lots of sunshine, then we'll have gray days of freezing temps and snow showers. The earliest wild flowers are in bloom: snow drops, crocus, and some that I can't identify. The buds on the fruit trees are swelling but are several weeks away from opening (I hope!). Our weather will swing between winter and spring conditions for another three weeks or so, then we'll also have a "mud" season (I hope! The water tables are still a tad low).

The indicator to me, though, is the return of the birds. Every day now, I see new robins (a couple overwinter -- they're the fat ones), and several fast yellow birds that I'm unable to identify. When the red-winged blackbirds appear, it will be mid-spring.

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2001

OK,Taz,

Just who are you calling a nut ??? I'm in a feisty mood so you wanna fight ??? Loser gets to muck out the donkeys or clean under the vats.Either way it won't be a sweet smelling job !LOL

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2001

Chris....you ain't comin' over here with my donkeys with your FMD all over yer Green Wellies. And while I am probably the only one on the forum that knows what you mean re the vats, I am not crossing the pond to muck out under them either! Glad that you are once again fiesty. Can't stand it when you get depressed! Hugs

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2001

Sinuses are draining, cats are fighting, Sweetie is looking at blondes with big, er, rhymes with nits, mice in the attic--yup, spring all right. But I tell ya what, them primroses are a wonder!

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2001

Almost 12 acres filled with coreopsis, rain lillies, primrose, blue bonnets and others I don't yet recognize, plus Mexican Hats and Indian Blanket flowers getting ready to bloom within the next week or so. . .

The sound once again of birds twittering in the trees that have budded and leafed out. . .

The smell of dirt in the moist air. . .

The smell of mown grass (yes, already!). . .

Spring is exhilarating on the Hilltop . . .

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2001

For me it is always the arrival of the big flock of starlings, cowbirds and red-wing blackbirds, usually a couple of weeks before the equinox.

Neighbor's daffs against the wall are now 6 inches high, but the thousand daffs we have in our front bank are barely poking their noses up yet.

-- Anonymous, March 29, 2001