Mar 01 2009
MARCH is the Beginning of the End
When I was growing up in the 1950’s and 1960’s, the beginning of March always meant the beginning of the end of winter.
Winter wasn’t over in Montana by any means, and I still think the winters used to be much worse than they are now.
However, last weekend, Lookout Pass, a few miles west of here, received SIXTEEN INCHES of new snow! Since this is also the name of the ski area located at the summit of the pass, this was okay news to some people.
I love the springtime here in the Rockies. The spring rains bring that wonderful smell of renewal that I associate with ozone. New life emerges from wintering dens and new forage is growing on the hillsides. The greening up is my personal symbol of spring and the trigger to get outside again. (I’m not much on winter sports.)
Each snow storm that hits in springtime reminds me that winter can hold on for a long time yet.
But the process of renewal is already beginning, and for that I am thankful.
No matter how much I HATE lawn mowing by the end of September, I always look forward to getting out on the tractor in the spring. I also have so many landscaping plans for the yard (again this year) that I never get everything done and couldn’t afford them all even if I had the time.
The changing of the seasons is the reason I live in Montana.
