Spring is right up there on my list of favorite things. There’s nothing more refreshing than new flowers, baby calves, twittering robins, and the earthy smell of overturned dirt. It always gives me a sense of excitement and anticipation of the even better season of summer that’s coming. Spring brings so many reminders of the good things in life.
We planted part of our garden last week. Thankful that our tiller started up again after a cold winter, I plowed a twenty foot section of the garden plot (which leaves about 180 feet to go) to put in our early crop of radishes, onions, peas, spinach, and lettuce. The kids helped stick the onion bulbs into rows, and Grandma wrote a list of what we planted and cut up the seed potatoes to ready them for planting. Our horses grazed the lawn as we worked, and everyone enjoyed spending the day outside.
We also spent a day burning brush. There is a lot of timber around the farm, and spring winds litter branches and fallen trees for us to gather. Woodsmoke is another thing that makes me think of spring chores. We made three separate bonfires, and used one for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows that evening. Our kids enjoyed huddling in a blanket near the fire tasting smores for the first time.
We finished up the calving season on Sunday morning with a nice black whitefaced bull calf. We went out after church to give him shots and an ear tag. Our toddler son went with us, and Cowboy Dad wanted him to pet the calf, but he was too shy. 
The calf wasn’t shy at all—he followed us around so I kept taking more photos of him.
This little guy was nursing, and then noticed I was taking his photo, so he played peek-a-boo with me from under his mama’s belly.
The cows enjoying their hay and watching out for their babies.
Here are Milo and Daisy waiting to be fed. One of the best parts of spring is the green grass turnout the horses get to enjoy!
Our two and a half year old son “driving” the tractor while Dad and I feed the calves and horses. He tells us that he is the boss of the farm.
And here I am, riding the Tennessee Walking Horse Gelding around bareback. I love the riding opportunities that come with spring!
When I was in college, I wrote this poem:
The Symbols of Springtime
The symbols of springtime, from beneath the snow,
Are slowly awakening, though chilling winds blow.
For oft, through the whiteness, to our disbelief,
The symbols of springtime lift an emerald leaf.
We smile at their song as the wild cranes cheer,
Knowing their northflight means springtime is near.
As daylight stays longer, our hearts regain mirth.
The symbols of springtime bring joy to the earth.
But while others smile at the symptoms they see,
I find that spring brings back old memories to me.
And that’s what I’m writing about in this poem—
One symbol of springtime I’ll miss—going home.
© Kerrie Tischer
March 20, 1998
