Ready, set.....GO!

Once the warm weather becomes reliable we seem to take off at a sprint, and things do get done. Our first priority was to replace the electric fence around the smaller pasture with a permanent goat- proof fence, extending the pasture out to the boundary line rather than avoiding the trees as we had with the electric fence. As we fenced we discovered several things: the wood ticks are out in abundance this year; as always a winter spent mostly indoors has sapped our stamina; we have a new but mature wild asparagus bed; the birds have endowed us with a patch of fruit canes that we are unable to identify but the fruit will tell us if we can get to it before the birds; and last but not least, we rediscovered how much we love our life. It was hot, tiring work as we raced against the incoming rainy weather and the neighbour planting his corn, both of which would make it impossible to drive out into his field to stretch the wire, but we still took the time to watch the lambs enjoy the fresh grass and the kids discover their new found independence and their ability to climb trees. When we looked back we were proud of what we had done and blessed it with our usual expression: "Not bad for two old broads!"

We have tilled gardens, our own and others, planted potatoes and leeks in quantities we have never attempted before, planned what we will be growing and watched the miracle of snow turn to bare dirt which in turn has sprouted seed. Last year's drought was, according to the meteorologists, as bad as any in the 1930's that, combined with farming practices, produced the Dust bowl. We had watched our pastures dry, watched as there was nothing for grazing, tried to keep our fear at bay as we worried about both the price and availability of hay, so the miracle of lush green grass in the pasture as the snow disappears was probably one of the most welcome sights to both of us.

Still sprinting we finally took a breath yesterday and decided to drive the few miles to the couple where we buy all our seedlings. Dolores Bloomquist and her husband produce the best seedlings of the area with a friendly smile, good, sound advice and a wealth of experience. We have never regretted buying from them as they have the facilities to produce better plants and in greater quantities than anything we could do for ourselves.

As we drove I was mesmerized by the ditches. After the rain on Friday night they were green; a gawdy, luscious, in-your-face green, a colour so bright my brain had problems translating the almost vulgar colour my eyes were seeing. It made me smile as I looked at the trees about to leaf and add yet another layer of green. It brought home the monochromatic world we endure during the winter, sure that also has it's own harsh beauty, but the sheer richness of green was a more joyful beauty. Then I realised we have not seen this much colour for almost a year. The shades of black and white in winter had been preceeded by a world shaded in sepias as a result of the unforgiving heat and drought last year. The greenness speaks of hope and promise, of living proof that, here in the Dakotas we have once again survived the circle and have come back even stronger.

I love spring!