First Day of Spring!

{Rurality Blog Hop}

It is a typical First Day of Spring here in the foothills. 

Torrential rain. 

Wind. 

But mild temperatures. 

It is now 44 degrees. 

Just two days ago we had a little glimpse of Mt. Rainier, just as the sun was setting. 

But that is a rare sight this time of year, as clouds and mist shroud The Mountain most of the time. 

Today is a day of glimmering raindrops, puddles, and seasonal rivulets of water running down hill. 

I can hear the river roaring down below in the steep little valley. 

Named 'South Prairie Creek', it flows directly down from one of Mt. Rainier's many glaciers and into the wider valley through the town of South Prairie, hence it's name. 

But this is no trickling little creek. 

More like a raging force of nature at this time of year when the snow starts to melt and the spring rains trickle down from the many higher hills. 

It is morning and Whitey waits by the door, cookie in mouth, to accompany me on our morning walk. 

But once I open the door and he sees the rain, he runs back to his bed in the kitchen and refuses to budge. 

I laugh and try to coax, but he is the smart one and stays inside where it is warm and dry. 

So I grab my raincoat, bear spray hanging out of the pocket, and head out without him. 

But I am not alone, as my faithful friend, Champ is always up for a good game of catch 

no matter what the weather! 

He waits patiently as I fill one bird feeder with black oil sunflower seeds. 

A favorite treat of the many species of birds we have here. 

Recently, the wild pigeons and doves have returned and have filled the air with their mournful cooing. 

Oh, I do love that sound. 

We pass The Mr.'s chopping block, glistening with rain. 

Every evening Ol' Blue Eyes carries in armfuls of firewood to keep the woodstove going. 

He stopped in mid-stride last night to tell me he has split, stacked and carried approximately 240 cord of wood in the last 30 years. 

My Dear Sweet Man. 

Tiny wildflower seedlings are springing up in every bare spot. 

A sure sign of Spring! 

We continue on towards the second bird feeder up by the Holly tree. A tiny Indian Plum blossom cheers the way. 

I keep the bird feeders well away from the house. 

But I have two sets of binoculars. 

Here on the edge of the wilderness, you never know who might stop in for a little treat. 

The reason I carry bear spray. 

And have two very watchful dogs. 

The last few nights, the coyotes have been singing, not too far away. 

Champ does not like this and barks with his deep growly voice, Whitey chiming in alongside. 

But we have also been treated to the delightful sound of peeping frogs. 

Thousands of them, filling the night air. 

Oh, Champ! Why do you always drop your ball right in the drainage ditch? 

The Mr. keeps this ditch clear of debris, especially during spring run-off. 

Now it is a trickle, but later it will be a good sized creek, filled with run-off from the heavy rain.  

The bird feeder is in a tree alongside. 

So I climb down into the ditch and resume our game of catch. 

We pass some blooming Narcissus, battered by the rain. 

I make a mental note to come out later if the rain dies down, to pluck the battered blooms for a springtime bouquet. 

But now we must head for home and the warmth of the fire, and Whitey waiting inside. 

And two unhappy cats gazing longingly through the glass, wishing for the rain to stop. 

Still, Ling Ling is not to be dissuaded. But once outside, she quickly changes her mind! 

So we all gaze out forlornly and settle in for a long and quiet day inside. 

Cozy and warm. 

And dreaming of sunshine. 

Wishing you a Happy First Day of Spring! 

And sunny skies! 

xoxo

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