Signs That Spring Will (Hopefully) Be Here Soon

March is always depressing around here, even more so this year. Last year it was in the 70s and 80s around this time, and this year it seems amazing and miraculous when it gets above freezing for a few brief hours. We keep telling ourselves that it'll be nice and warm soon, but it's hard to believe it when it stays could and snowy. But the signs that winter may eventually pack up and leave are there, such as:

1. You get to practice your ice skating skillz (or lack there of). When we have a period of slightly above freezing temperatures, lots of puddles form and turn into mini ice rinks when the temperatures inevitably go below freezing again. This only happens in areas that have been plowed. A lot of snow is still here, and the piles of plowed snow are still pretty big.

 There's also a lot of snow in the pastures, almost knee deep everywhere. It'll take a while for all that to melt, that's for sure.

2. The sun is out! A lot. Since the pastures are too deep to ride in, Royal and I have been taking walks on the road and it is very, erm, bright out there, what with the sun reflecting off all the snow and ice.

I haz sunglasses?

Hopefully the snow will start acting like a vampire and retreat to its coffin soon. It was mostly gone from the road yesterday, but the sooner it's gone from everywhere, the better.

3. Your horse starts molting. I swear Royal has lost enough hair to build 1000 bird nests, although a fair amount ends up all over my clothes. Every piece of fabric I own will take on a slight red hue for the next month or so. Such is life.

4. The horses start laying down a lot. I'm not exactly sure why this is. But it seems like they lay down more in the months of March and April than they do the rest of the year. My sister snapped this cute pic of Royal and Gabby cuddling with Royal laying his head on Gabby's back. All together now: Aaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

I'm trying to alleviate my cabin fever by think of this year's shows. Complicating matters is the fact that the trailer still needs to have its lights fixed, and the truck may or may not need new brakes and/or tires. Spring Otter Creek is out: just won't be possible for me to get any meaningful preparation, especially with how long winter is hanging around. The Pipe Opener is also out. I really wish it were a possibility, but it's still just too early. So, right now I'm planning for our first outing to be Carriage House at the end of May. Hopefully I'll be able to get everything fixed and we'll actually have decent enough weather to practice. We'll make our plans from there depending on how everything goes.

First the snow has to go. Then we can have some fun.