THE JOYS OF SPRING

It is here. No, not spring. The notices that spring will be here before long. In Northern Minnesota the harbingers of spring are many. And yet, they are not necessarily the delightful signs of daffodils and robins.

Our animals are usually the dead ones. Uncovered after having been buried by many layers of winter white. They can be seen in varying stages of consumption by the "dead flesh eaters" of the North Woods. Some of these eventually become road kills, thus, fulfilling the circle of life in a small, but meaningful fashion.

Then we have the gifts of our own animals. Old Piss Eyes, who in summer would never poop where anyone can see it, has the amazing need to poop within twenty-five feet of the front door. After all, she might get lost and frozen in the 2½ acres of pristine white that covers my yard. Who would possibly expect her to go into the woods and take her dump when the potential exists that the whole house may pack up and leave her there to fend for herself. Yes, as the layers drop down, pile after pile of processed dog food and treats show themselves in varying stages of decomposition. They await my diligent plan of getting them all off the yard before the first rays of summer sun hit the shit and thus bypassing the delight of the aroma of the warming of their putrid remains.

We do have a fitting close to winter up here...The Birkebeiner, a long distance cross country ski race, The John Beargrease Dogsled Race that honors a Native American who delivered mail up here through the proverbial snow...and the last of the Ice Fishing contests.

As the carcasses of winter are dragged off, as the pooper scooper extraordinaire trudges through the slush, as the final winter sports draw to a close...I close my eyes and wait for spring, ah, beautiful spring...which brings its own lovely travails and traps...

POTHOLES, MUD AND TOURISTS!!!