Halfway to spring

I am so ready.  I want to dig in the dirt, to set up my polytunnel, to bask in the warm rays of the sun.

While we haven't had a lot of large snow storms blow through, we've had a good many 2-3" quick hitters, and one good 12+" storm.  This winter has been cold, though.  Like, real feel of -20sF below zero cold.  Everyone is just done with it.

I've followed through on some winter sowing.  I labeled everything, but didn't keep a list, so I can't remember what's out there.  Verbena?  Teasel? Vervain?  Possibly.  

These are the containers I went with.

 The larger tub I drilled holes into and covered with another tub with drilled holes.  Not so pro tip - don't force the drill.

 I used that one as the bottom, because look at that drainage.  *sigh*

And here they are outside.

 I checked them about a week later after a snowfall to be sure the snow was getting in the holes, and it is.  I tried taking a picture but...flip phone woes.

Currently these are now buried under about a foot of snow.  I'm planning to add a few more this week, some Ammi major and mystery seeds gifted to me by a coworker.

I've been really trying to hold off starting seeds in the house, but it's getting more and more difficult.  I'm still having fun with the hydroponic system, and harvested all the leaves off a lettuce plant.  Left with a stub, I wondered if I should toss it and grow a new plant, or leave it and see if it regenerated.  Well, I did both, and the stub is putting forth leaves, much to my surprise.  

In critter news, the crows have been joined by a pair of ravens, and the little fox has been around quite often.  The other day I saved a tweety bird from this fella.

 I'm always conflicted, because they have to eat, too.  I'm a big fan of the raptors, but seeing that little bird in his claws was startling.  

Mother's dog has bagged four or five squirrels, and one of the carcasses lured in a bald eagle.  I thought they were pretty much fish birds, but I guess when the lakes are frozen over they become opportunists.

 He was spooked shortly after this photo, and landed in one of the trees along my driveway.  It was here that the ravens noticed him and set off the general alarm, which led to him flying off into the treetops elsewhere.

 This is what passes as high excitement on the farm in the winter.  

Today is reserved for opening up the driveway and parking area.  The last storm I had to snowblow in increments because the snow was so light and fluffy, it just collapsed and made it difficult to clean up.  I did the bare minimum and logged 31,000+ steps on the old fitbit, just over 13 miles.  I really need to get the truck shored up to the point it can handle a plow.  This crap is getting old.  Kind of like me. 😒