Wet and Wonderful and Spring!

 

Perfect timing.

Mother Nature gave us rain yesterday, which, for me, was A-OK.  

Good to have an excuse to slouch on the couch, watch a little TV, take a nap and let the aftermath of my booster shot subside. 

A week ago, this area was dirty and dusty.  This morning on Earth Day 2022, here in North Idaho, the Earth has received a generous cleansing.  

Mud and puddles have returned, and dogs need toweling off after spending time outside.

All that leads to the promise of this day:  sunshine, grass growing and greening, mud drying up and a comfortable warmth. 

Plus, there's a distinctive turn of events as spring activities start revving up around the area.  I learned yesterday details about picking up my flower baskets from the Ponderay Rotary. 

I'm also thinking it's time to start ordering goodies for my annual Kentucky Derby party cuz it's just around the corner. 

My sisters have a Western dressage clinic going this weekend.  Bill and I have even discussed the idea of fulfilling an elusive dream we've had for more than two years:  cross the border into Canada. 

I read this morning that the Clark Fork drift yard along the lakeshore---a fun area to visit----has reopened after several months. 

Life is rising up from beneath the ground, and life above the Earth is filled with activity and welcome anticipation. 

In fact, I was thrilled the other day when I saw a tiny curly green leaf poking through the dirt, assuring me that this year's rhubarb is on the way.  

I love this day because it says to me---through the honking of the geese, the quacking of the ducks, the fog lifting and welcoming the sunshine---that spring and the flurry of activity that goes along with it is definitely here. 

I also love this day because this morning signaled a first for Bridie. She's now eight months old. 

Today, I decided to take the plunge and drop the leash while Bridie accompanied me to throw hay over the barnyard fence to the horses. 

It wasn't perfect because halfway through my round, she trotted off.  But where did she trot?

To the barn, and what did she do?

She sat and waited for me to return to the barn with the cart. 

I was thrilled, to say the least, to see that she could be trusted.  

We also walked the fields and through the woods where that little sniffer was going gang busters this way and that across the cushion of pine needles. 

Each time we walk to the woods, we go a little further, which means new ground for Bridie. 

I love watching her discover the offerings of this Earth.  

A few weeks ago while we were playing ball in the pasture, noisy geese would fly over.  Each time, I made sure to say "geese."

Bridie now stops what she's doing to look and listen whenever the honking begins. 

Again, it's fun to watch a young one, albeit a dog, learn about ways of the Earth. This morning, it was especially fun.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Friday and a meaningful Earth Day. 

Here a deer.  

There a deer.  

Everywhere a deer, deer. 

They're abundant this year.  It's a rare moment when we go outside and not see a deer or two somewhere.