More Signs of Spring

The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring.  ~Bern Williams

Softly, slowly...new life unfolds. We may be a bit behind the rest of the province, but spring will get here eventually.
 

Chop Wood, Carry Water

“Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water." Zen Proverb

Not so much wood chopping going on these days in Dalhousie, but plenty of wood splitting.

Welcome to the Sugar Shack

"The forest is a peculiar organism of unlimited kindness and benevolence that makes no demands for its sustenance and extends generously the products of its life and activity; it affords protection to all beings.   ---Buddhist Sutra 

There is a sugar shack a few miles out of Dalhousie. Today, on our way into town we stopped to buy some maple sugar and take a few photos. 

A Sugar shack in Maplewood, N.S.

Maple sap is boiled down in an evaporator

The evaporator burns between 25-30 cords of wood a season

 Maple sugar in the mold.

Spring Flowers

The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size.  ~Gertrude S. Wister

   

Photo by Ericka Crowell

Photo by Ericka Crowell

While these photos of crocuses were not taken here in Dalhousie they are simply too beautiful not to post. As Gertrude S. Wister remarked, they do occupy places in our hearts. What a welcomed sight after a long cold Nova Scotia winter!

A River Runs Through It

Eventually all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.

…Norman Maclean

The movement of water is mesmerizing. It is filled with life, with sounds, rhythm. These pictures were taken at Black Duck Lake Brook .

   …And for those who have not heard the sound of a brook in the springtime...

                                                                        

Pussy Willows

Having seen some pussy willows posted on facebook I knew they were out. So I went on a search of my own. I grabbed my camera today and went for a walk. Here's what I found.

 

Pussy willows grow along the ditches in rural Nova Scotia it is commonly thought to be a sign that spring is just aroud the corner.

Chasing the Moon

We took off in the car to chase the moon, watching it peek out at us through tree branches as we searched for the perfect spot, the perfect angle, the perfect view. It tantalized us until we finally pulled over to the side of the road near Big River Bridge to take a few shots.

 Tonight the full moon is the largest it has been in twenty years.

Black Duck Lake

Black Duck Lake

Frozen solid and yet....

A glimpse of spring near the shore.       Well get there sooner or later.

Oh yeah, we burn wood!

The smell of wood smoke is carried on the breeze, sometimes subtle, sometimes overpowering, most times pleasant. It is an essential part of rural living, and of life here in Dalhousie.

“You just can’t beat wood heat.”   

Out here in Dalhousie if you haven’t made that statement at one time, or if you haven’t heard it, I’m almost tempted to say you can’t be living in rural Nova Scotia.

I’ve burned wood all my life. When I was growing up in Dalhousie most homes were heated with wood. I think most people still do today.

Lots of wood piles cropping up in the area, getting ready for another winter. We like to look ahead. Wood needs to be seasoned and burning green wood will never do.

 Do we still burn wood out here? Oh yeah, we burn wood!

Has Spring Arrived in Dalhousie?

We’ve come through winter, at least the worst of it, I hope.

Here are a few shots my husband took this morning. The sight of robins on the 12th of March is a welcomed sight here in my little corner of the province. This is indeed an early sign of spring.

Although it appears that the snow is almost gone, these pictures are bit deceiving. Snow continues to lurk in the woods, clinging to the shaded areas, fighting to survive. It is not ready to give up yet. I live in a unique area of the province were, a mere twenty minute drive away, the fields are all but bare. Out here in Dalhousie we are the last in this province to lose our snow every year.