Thawing out, that's what we're doing. Quite happily, and quite often interrupted by lambs. Because really, with six spunky and snuggly baby lambs in the backyard, it's hard to get a whole lot done other than that. It goes a little like this..."I'll just wash these dishes then I'll go see the lambs." Or, "I'll just work for an hour then take a break with the lambs." Essentially, visiting the lambs becomes a reward for tiny little pockets of working time, all day long. And then once there, it becomes impossible to peel oneself away - once there's a sleeping lamb on your lap and you're sitting in the sunshine. And so I mostly give in...because they're only this little once. The kids, of course, have fewer reasons to leave the pasture, and so they hardly do. It is so good.
Yes, spring is here - the Sandhill cranes that visit our neighborhood are back; the boys are squeezing every last bit out of the backyard ski (jump) season as that snow is disappearing; our driveway is an elaborate system of the annual spring game "rivers and streams" (and not at all a place to park cars for fear of never getting out); the first maple syrup boil is behind us with a small stash begun on the pantry shelf; and our days spent out of doors are full of movement and freedom. These early spring days are all about thawing out, and stretching out, and breathing it all in. It is so good.
