Despite grey forecasts the day turned blue. The lengthening days feel like a gift. Willow and I headed for the bush. The snow was soft. As soon as we were off the trail Willow sank up to her chest making it tough. I wandered off here and there to check the willows for buds, bending the juniper to test for spring. I have promised Scarlett and Copper I will show them how to make a bow and arrows this year. It was long ago my dad taught me. I’d almost forgot. Some willows have sprouted fuzzy buds. It was hard to not keep looking skyward even with ice underfoot. The ravens tossed themselves like oily rags at one another. The songbirds puffed their chests towards the sun, reenergized in the promise of spring. They will sing constantly soon. Become vibrant again looking to attract a mate. The owls will roost and hoot before light. Willow sniffed and pawed at the thawing smells. A mouse under the snow, a discarded bone, feathers lost or taken, and droppings of all the animals that shared the trail through the winter, under the stars and through the storms and cold spells. To finally examine them. Do they tell their stories to Willow? It is me who can only wonder. I am the odd man out, but where I belong, with the sun shining, my face warm, with more creatures than I can see smiling with me on a blue day before spring.
Palliser Pass 
mountaincoward
Very nicely written – cheered me up a bit out of the bad mood I’ve had for a week or so!
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underswansea
I think there is a rule somewhere that says you can’t stay in a bad mood for more than a couple days. I haven’t been able to get out much lately, I’m glad it cheered you up a bit. Take care.
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mountaincoward
I’ve been in a bad mood for a while – because people keep messing me around each day!
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underswansea
That’s shitty! Either ignore the bastards or give them a piece of your mind, whatever gets them to sod off faster.
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mountaincoward
just silly things each day – most recent was an engineer from British Telecoms coming to fix my broadband and breaking the links to my telephone and computer upstairs. BT are refusing to deal with it as they say my internet is working and the downstairs phone. They suggest I hire an engineer to fix! GRRR!
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Jim R
That is a really nice shot of the Moon and Venus. We’ve enjoyed seeing them from our living room window in the evenings.
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underswansea
Hi Jim, it was a very nice sight. Lisa saw this through our living room window as well. All I did was step outside and pressed the shutter. I don’t think I even took off my slippers.
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Julie@frogpondfarm
Your writing is wonderful Bob .. but then so is your photography! How lucky are we!
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underswansea
You are very kind. Thank you, Julie!
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