Signs of spring

This has been a colder and snowier winter than I can remember in Kansas. Though the snow has mostly melted, I've just had to buy more firewood for the woodstove. I'm hoping this will keep me warm for the next few weeks.

Still, winter is losing its grip. This crocus proves it to me.

Oh, I know we'll have at least one more snowstorm, as we always do, but it won't last. I'll put the porch swing back up and watch the neighborhood come out of hibernation. We'll all shake off our winter lethargy.

That reminds me of the folktale from North Carolina about why bear hibernates. He was a terrible grump, stomping all over the smaller animals' homes. They decided to do something about it. After he went to sleep in a cave, they covered the entrance to the cave. He woke up from time to time, but because it was still dark, he thought it was still night. He slept for months. In the spring, the small animals got worried and went to check on him. When they uncovered the entrance, the light shone in and woke him up. He was in such a good mood from sleeping so well, he has hibernated every winter.

Time to put another log on the fire.