Signs of spring, and What?!!!

These several weeks, there has been much talk of signs of spring.  For me the thrill has been the liquid throat call of the red-wing blackbird from Pepper's Marsh. The abundance  of  free flowing water, in its' cacaphonous rush to the Connecticut River and then to the sea!

What I did not expect...  Driving home on Fairgrounds Road, which follows the East Branch of the Westfield River some, is wooded, windy: there in front of me was a woman standing in a wheeled rig, holding the ropes to a dog team! These white, fluffy dogs were repeatedly veering off the road, possibly seeking softer earth for their paws.

This reminded me of an Autumn in Vermont, beside the Connecticut River.  Aunt Irene and I were enjoying tea and conversation in the living room.  I was enjoying the scenery.  Down the paved road came several students from Dartmouth College.  They were on roller skates, in ski position, using ski poles to push themselves along! Dartmouth College Ski Team, in training.

So, can I expect, some winter day, to see bathing suit clad people doing backflips into snow!

Green is gaining ground over the dead yellow-browns of lawns.

Spring...continued. 

I went to the Sugar House on Sunday.  On the way to the South Face Sugar House, a Grouse hen slowly crossed the road in front of my car.  With each step, her head bobbed forward.

It was a cold day.  I parked the car, and there was snow falling! 

Spring?