“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”
Romans 12:16 ESV
I’m not aware of an official list of indicators of spring, but if I were engaged or inclined to create such a list, the appearance of robins would be in the top 10. Friday afternoon I spotted a robin in the front yard. It was the first of the season. I knew he was not alone! And let’s talk about that earthworm…
…earthworms are a favorite of robins. We had recently experienced rainy days and the ground was saturated which forced the worms out of hiding. Robin migration is complex, but I’ve always noted that they appear in numbers. When I spot the first one, I expect to see many more. The yard was filled with robins, impossible to count, they were scattered in every direction. Amazingly the birds moved through according to the rain and moisture which provided an abundance of their favorite food!
Males migrate ahead of the females, seeking out nesting sites and I suppose a place to call home. A couple of resident mocking birds were apparently jealous of the new visitors so they harassed some of the robins. While eating worms is fine with us, we wish they would also pluck up all those wild onions. Wild onions might also need to be on that list of spring indicators!
Early March has been “iffy” as usual, but this week is predicted to be very nice with several days in the 70’s. The early bloomers are giving us some glimpses of things to come. It was nice to roam around and spot new color last week. It was very windy and cold on this day but the flowers warmed me up!
I mentioned the early bloomers, and certainly at a distance it appears that the Callery pear tree is in full bloom, but clearly most blooms are yet to open. This is a member of the Rose family. It is considered invasive in most locations these days!
I found this old barn standing only a few feet from a rural county road. Some equipment was inside and I am guessing that the old tractor still runs. Rusty tin is highly sought after these days. I am also guessing this tin would not be available at any price. The barn was here well before the road was paved.
The tires look newer and do not appear to be dry rotted. I’m thinking this old workhorse might occasionally come out of retirement!
I turned around when I passed this roadside stand. You can apparently buy fresh eggs here when they are available, and paying is on the honor system. This, with eggs currently at $8-$10/dozen in stores, is truly an amazing thing. You can still operate this way here in the rural south where we live. That is refreshing. The name of this community is Ball Play (true story). If we could cross the river directly behind our house, this area would be less than a mile from us, however; it takes about 30 minutes to drive there!
As I drove away I noticed this cute little chicken and thought it deserved a photo. Later I thought, why didn’t I open the cooler and see if there were any eggs available?
In spite of a few nights below freezing, this candy corn spirea is providing some beautiful refreshing color to a spot in the landscape that has been quite unremarkable for several months. At first glance I had thoughts of nice flowering, but in fact, it’s young leaves!
Pam did a post last Monday on garden plants that were bulbs. These are King Alfred daffodils that are part of the cottage garden. They were looking too nice I guess because PJ couldn’t force herself to cut any or ask me to cut them. Fortunately I am privy to several places in the pastures and fields where daffodils show up, seemingly out of nowhere, always in mid-to-late February. I was glad to bring some of those hidden, never seen daffodils home so they too could be enjoyed! Pam highlighted daffodils in a post last year as they are truly harbingers of spring!
The flowers of the King Alfred’s are a little different from those that I find growing wild. I suppose “growing wild” is not an accurate term since they are bulbs which were planted by someone, sometime long ago. I wish I knew more! As a kid, I do recall an old abandoned house standing very near the spot where today the “wild” daffodils always emerge. It’s just the place they will always call home! The old blue bicycle can be seen in the background. It will be 6 or 7 weeks before any planting activity happens in “ole blue’s” baskets!
Winter honeysuckle is in full bloom and full fragrance. Honeybees find this shrub to their liking on the warmer days that pop up in February and early March.
The signs of spring are certainly all around and definitely welcome, but the architecture exposed by barren trees in our front yard are a reminder to be patient. Some unsettled, cool days are still ahead. I do note that the golf cart trail that leads to the home of certain little people is quite worn. No surprise there!
I heard where someone declared that spring would now come quickly, since as of today, we have an additional hour of daylight. I wondered..did I hear that right? Could there be someone out there who actually believes that moving our clocks ahead makes the sun instantly shine an hour longer today than yesterday? Maybe “daylight saving” was never the best term for this particular time designation!
I mentioned the tree architecture because to me it is a lot more noticeable in the winter when nothing else competes to get our attention. The birch trunk is always plainly visible year round, but for some reason I notice it much more through the winter. The bark fascinates me and the various ways the bark has been used by people through the centuries is also quite amazing! I’m glad Pam was doing an early March walk around in the yard and captured some good photos for today!
I wanted to get back to “spring thinking” so I trekked over to my country roads where the fields greet the Appalachian foothills. The green cover crop, which replaced corn, along with that blue sky, should warm us up…making everyone feel cozy!
Forsythia is often called yellow bell by folks around here, but the yellow bell is actually a different plant. Another top 10 lister, forsythia is one of the first things to bloom here, often in February, and definitely by early March. Seemed to me everyone living out in the country had forsythia in their yard when I was growing up. Grandmother didn’t know about the fancy word “forsythia” so to us they were just yellow bells! Nobody would have corrected grandmother even if we’d known the plant facts…which we didn’t!
I am aware of a few readers who think that I am really teasing when I speak of Turkeytown. But I’m not kidding. I prefer to spell it as one word but I think it might officially be Turkey Town! Real place, real sign.
We are proclaiming spring’s arrival since March is considered spring for purposes of monthly record keeping by meteorologists. Their idea makes us feel better, and as we’ve been watching the birds, it appears they like the idea too! And so far, it hasn’t been bad for sunsets either!
Have a blessed week!
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26 (ESV)
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
I’m surprised the old barn didn’t have “wild” daffodils near it
Here in central Virginia, our males robins came back in droves about a week ago
Thank you Gail. That old barn may have had daffodils on the other side. No one around to ask so I couldn’t climb fences and venture onto the property to look further. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I love seeing your signs of spring. So far I’ve seen the robins en masse, but only buds on daffs, pear trees and forsythia. Soon our gardening work begins in earnest! Have a relaxing Sunday, Butch & Pam!
Thank you Rita. Your blooms can’t be far behind those buds. The robins being there is a good sign too. Have a peaceful day and a good week!
Butch and Pam
It is so nice to see the birds and flowers in your area. It looks like spring! Thank you for sharing all the beautiful pictures!
Thank you Mrs White. We have forecast of sun and mid to upper 70’s Tuesday and Wednesday so that will trick us into thinking the cold is gone but that’s probably not the case. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
We are getting close to seeing more and more Spring arrivals. Nothing like you southerners just yet. Up here in the midwest the sign of Robins is our calculator to Spring arriving very soon after they are spotted. I cannot wait to see our spring bulbs starting to pop up. Have a great week. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. The first group of robins just appeared here but we are surprised to hear of groups of them already showing up in WV. Hope that’s a good sign. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
I love it when the robins, earthworms and water fowl return looking for their nesting place. We’re experiencing all of the above and beautiful daffodils in various stages. I love spring but springing forward the clock is difficult the first few mornings. Enjoy your day! Clara ❤️
Thank you Clara. That clock thing does take a few days to get adjusted to. To me it’s even more of an adjustment in the fall. I saw a duck Friday sitting on a nest under shrubbery at the mall. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Has a paintbox ever been able to duplicate the luminous red of that spirea or the golden of the daffodil ? What stunners. What a heartwarming sight that roadside stand is in its faith in humanity’s honor no matter what the price of eggs. May that old barn last many more generations, to remind us of an enriching, more productive way of life so sadly lost to progress. Forsythia was always our first ode to Spring and yellow bells is an apt sing-song moniker.
Pam’s keen eye caught some great views of Spring on the home front like that crusty old tree. The crowning photo has to be that exquisite sunset. An embracing stroll, indeed. Blessed Sabbath.
Thank you Mary. So much is lost to “progress” causing the definition of the word to often be misguided at best and sometimes all out fiction. We still see roadside vegetable and fruit stands on the honor system in a few places in the summer. First I’ve seen with eggs though. Have a great afternoon and a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
You are having some beautiful signs of spring! I’m so eager. I have been told people have seen robins here but I’ve not seen one yet. That one of yours was definitely having a good feeding day. Thanks for the daffodils — they are hugely cheery! Happy Sunday!
Thank you Jeanie and happy Sunday to you. People much further north than us seemed to have had robins show up earlier than we have. Maybe it had been too dry and they waited on the rain to bring out their favorite food. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Dear Butch and Pam,
Happy Spring! The robins, beautiful bushes/trees/wild plants, and the old barn resonate in my soul. I’ll admit I teared up a bit seeing the egg stand and the “honor” system. I love these rural places where trust and good will still shine!
I giggled at the one hour more of sunlight, Butch. I understand as I thought the same as you when I heard that!
I’m back from Maryland. I’ll update you all soon, but in the meantime, I’ve prayed for Pam and you, her Daddy, your son and all the grandkids. My sweet Dad was in the hospital again, but is home. Today we will reunite around Momma’s table for a lunch. Sending you all love and prayers always. It’s good to be home and to see your lovely articles and stunning photographs! God is the source of all hope and he oozes through your words and pictures!
Thank you Karla. Glad you are back home. We were just talking about the fruit and vegetable stands that still pop up in the summer, many on the honor system too. One such stand is nearby but the guy is usually there. He lost his wife several years ago and he enjoys having people to see and chat with. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Our meadow is full of robins this morning too! We saw a golden forsythia on our way home just coming into bloom. I love those, and mean to have one on our property, and every year I forget to get one at its proper planting time. Maybe this will be the year!
Thank you Carole. We had a large forsythia for several years and it died suddenly a number of years ago. I guess we have a way of killing things without trying or ever knowing why. Don’t know why we haven’t planted another one. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Please explain to me the different barks on the Burch tree. Some Look like maybe God bandaged a cut. Unusual for sure. So glad you had rain, so much that the robins came to feed. Yours are the first daffodils I’ve seen this year. But I do see the tops of the tulips have broken the dark Dry land around the mailbox here. And it’s suppose to be in the 60’s this week. Indeed Spring has sprung and it has not a thing to do with “additional hours in the day” as we know God rises and sets the sun each and every day not Congress. Whew! Thankful! Amen!
Thank you Alice. Birch trees have 2 separate bark layers and seem to shed skin like snakes. Used for centuries for paper, baskets, canoes and household items I guess it is now popular for craft projects. You can buy it even. Maybe we should try our hand at using the bark for some type craft. Ours is a river birch and unfortunately was planted too close to the house. Have a warmer and wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Ahhhhh…signs of Spring, how beautiful is that? Sadly, I have seen nary a robin nor the “yellow bells” which always heralded Spring back in Kansas… but here in Florida…we have different signs. Our crepe myrtle is bursting forth and the plumaria can be seen with giant green boomerang shaped leaves which later will sport the bright yellow fragrant flowers that Lei’s are made from. Thank you Pam and Butch for your inspiring Bible verses and lovely Spring photos. I especially loved the golf cart tract which can be seen in the distance because of the anticipation of the destination. How sweet that they are so close to Gma and Gpa. Have a great and Blessed day my friends.
Thank you Kari. Maybe you can send us a photo of the plumeria when those are in full bloom, sounds like a beautiful display. We’ll have to read up on that one. We are blessed to have a sweet reason to keep the cart path worn down. You remind us of that line in a song where the writer looks around and sees all the changes/different things and says “ we’re not in Kansas anymore “. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Happy Sunday, Butch and Pam! You have shared so many beautiful images of spring’s arrival. I am so excited for lots of sunshine and warmer temperatures. Wishing you both a most happy and blessed week ahead!
Thank you Shannon. Glad to hear you are looking at sun and warmer this week. Seems like it’s been a hard winter for many and that includes Oklahoma. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Aren’t the robins a welcome sight to behold?!? I just read the scout hummingbirds have begun their migration. Tomorrow I will hang a feeder to see if I can attract any. The egg stand is wonderful! We have vegetable stands in the summer based on the honesty system. Alabama has Turkey Town and South Carolina has Sugar Tit. Yes, it is a real place!! On that note, hope you and Pam have a great week.
Thank you Roxanne. We have those vegetable stands too but this was a first for us with eggs. Hummingbirds usually don’t come by here until April. We don’t mind mentioning to people we live near Turkey Town, but if we lived in that place in SC, we might find the need to avoid that “where are you from” type discussion. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Such beautiful signs that spring is right around the corner! Hooray! It will be so nice to have warmer weather. God bless you all.
Thank you Cheryl. Some people had problems seeing the images but I hope they all displayed for you. We had a perfect weather day today. Hope you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam