Spring is in the air

As Spring peels back the icy fingers of Winter, we are all taking a step back and breathing a little sigh of relief, at least for the moment. The clean, crisp air is filled with bird songs, ducks, geese and leaf blowers. Wait a minute, what?

Waterways and lakes are filling quickly with melting snow, snow drifts have receded to reveal all the bits and pieces that blew into the yard or up against the fence during winter's blast through Wyoming. With the blessings of so much moisture comes some sacrifice. I noticed on my drives through the valley and down the dirt roads, there is evidence of livestock and wildlife that did not have the strength or the ability to survive.

Most of us in the Valley would agree that this was a particularly difficult winter, with high winds and feet, not inches, of snow falling or blowing across the land. With temperatures that stubbornly stayed in the single digits, any kind of travel or work outdoors was made more arduous.

Throughout the winter we all watched as snow piled up, higher than we'd seen in many years. Listening to Don Day became a daily ritual, albeit not one I enjoyed. I like Don, but in this case what he was sharing over the radio waves made me a bit unhappy.

With the melt off comes mud season. While we appreciate the moisture, it can sure cause problems when it turns into a slimy mess. Hiking can be an interesting experience, with some dry areas, and some areas still resembling small ponds. The weather is perfect for hiking and exploring, I can deal with a little mud, but I'd rather not have to wade up to my ankles. Of course, unpredictable weather is also a norm for Wyoming so there's the possibility of snow at anytime, microbursts and thunderstorms, but all in all, it's worth taking the chance and getting outside to enjoy this amazing place we call home.

With the arrival of warmer weather and blossoming everything, come allergies, and foxtails. I was surprised, when, a few years ago, I discovered my dog has allergies. Not sure what they are caused by, but they are definitely environmental. His eyes run, he licks his paws and scratches his ears and sneezes. I don't have any flowering plants in the house except the Angel Wing Begonia, so I'm sure it's from outdoors.

Foxtails have always been a fear of mine when it comes to my animals. Those seeds that get stuck in ears, eyes, noses and even between the toes. They can cause major issues if they scratch the eye, even infections and abscesses. I asked a veterinarian about the danger of foxtails and she said to check your dog carefully and often for any signs of a foxtail issue, and watch for wounds that won't heal or if the pup is holding an eye closed.