In Like a Lamb

Ah.. the first of March.. hard to believe.

Here in Southern Manitoba, March can still mean a whole lot of winter… but  with the mild temps and the warming sun,  the first inkling  of spring hopes  are felt dancing about, impatient to burst forth.

Signs of the big melt are everywhere.  The five foot snow drifts lining many of our streets have started  their slow decline,  with increasingly sizable water puddles creeping outward from their base, inching towards the middle of the streets, searching for those still frozen drains.    The packed snow is losing its crunch and  our winter boots are starting to bear that messy sand and salt ring.

And this fine-feathered pair were recently spotted in our back yard.   I believe they are a pair of House Finches.  A very early spring sighting.

One can’t stand on the cusp of March without momentarily reflecting on the months  just spent.  This winter has been a relatively gentle one.    An abundance of mild days and the surprisingly “no-show” of the harsh north wind allowed for plenty of out-door time,  keeping the spirits of  both myself and the dogs high enough to escape the dreaded January doldrums.

And with so much happening, the winter days simply seemed to tumbled over one another  leaving little time to lament the shorter days and colder nights.

Much of the February  excitement centered around the Olympic Games..  first with the torch runs and then the actual games.  Every day held some sort of excitement and adrenalin surge.

So proud to be Canadian!

On a personal note, this winter’s highlight most definitely was the arrival of my new great-grandson Baby Gabriel.    Born 6 weeks early,  I am so happy to report that he is now home and doing well.    Would you believe that he is quickly approaching the 6 pound milestone and is proudly displaying the cutest ever chubby cheeks.

Cyni and Jordan (mom and dad) are both doing well… tired… but good.  The first few weeks, while Gabriel required hospital care, presented many a challenge for the young mom and dad,  and I admit to often feeling concern.   But, our Cyni, has an emotional maturity and a gentle grace  about her that far exceeds her years. That, and  the support of her good  man helped carry both her and her babe through this difficult time.

Now that they are finally home, I feel a peace and am comforted knowing that they are surrounded by supportive family (both near and far).  Yay, Baby Gabriel… let the good times roll!  :-)

And Dear Spring….   please, please  do  something to keep  that impending lion at bay.