"Marching" In Like a Lion...

March has come roaring in like a lion here...

The winds started early this morning, and are picking up as the morning progresses.  We're supposed to have gusts of up to 50-60 mph all day and through the night. 

The dogs all "helped' me feed the calves this morning as usual, and the rain didn't stop Phoebe from begging to play ball on the way to the hutches.  You can see the path the wagon has made through the grass this winter. This morning I was slipping in the mud as I pulled it back to the barn...                                                               

We've had lots of puddles like this, this winter.  February on average around here, brings about 2.5" of rain.  We've had over 5"!

 

It's pretty difficult to see in this picture taken out the dining room window, but snow flurries are now blowing sideways!  They're melting as soon as they hit the ground, but it's snowing! 

I for one am thankful that it's not freezing cold and blowing like this.  The mud is a mess, yes, but a lot less trouble than a cold west wind, frozen water lines and plowing the driveway!

I'm hoping that if March is blowing in like a lion, that it will go out like a lamb! 

A Glimpse of Spring...

I know, you say...it's only Valentines' Day!  We still have two weeks left in February, and all of March to go before we can really call it Spring...but this week I'm seeing glimpses of what is to come. 

The temperature this morning is already above 40 degrees...and it's to be in the 50's later this week! 

The dogs have been lounging in the sunshine, rather than huddled together on their bed in the shop...

The snow is disappearing, and I see that there really is grass  mud underneath...

We're starting to see more people out and about, running along the roads and around the trail at the golf course...  (I should probably join them!)

The breeze has a touch of warmth to it, and I think I'll hang my wash outside today...

And best of all...when I fed the calves this morning, Belle's calf, who has been struggling to be healthy for the past two weeks, came out eagerly to drink her milk.  All of it.  Without hesitation.  That's wonderful news!

We won't put away the winter clothes yet.  The hats, gloves and boots will still dry by the radiator...

...but perhaps those boots will be needed for mud now, instead of snow!

So...while it's warm, I think I'll head out to clean out the chicken pen.  Maybe the chickens will get the hint that spring is in the air, and start laying some more eggs.  One can only hope!