It’s been a long, long winter. Like a Laura Ingalls Wilder kind of winter where kids are trapped in a blizzard. We’re not even finished with February and we’ve broken the snowfall record for Great Falls, Montana with 32.6 inches for the month, which was set in 2011. This morning is -12 F. I am so over it. To try to stay positive, I am grasping at straws looking for any sign of spring.

The days are becoming longer. It’s nice not to feed my horse in the dark at 5 p.m. since it’s closer to 6 p.m. before the sun goes down. I was even able to go for a walk around our neighborhood after feeding last night. I only needed my headlamp at the end. Granted it’s still almost 7:30 before it rises in the morning, but at least we’re moving in the right direction.

Ground Squirrels

The ground squirrels are out. I almost feel bad for these little beasties darting around on the frozen tundra of the neighboring field. The males come of dormancy a good 6 weeks (if not longer) before the females. We actually saw some of them out in January, which seemed early to me. I can see where they are extremely vulnerable from hawks and other birds of prey, as well as the foxes and coyotes that cruise through, because they are absolutely exposed without even a blade of dried grass to hide behind. At least the predators are eating well. It is still good to see life in the fields.

In past years we’ve already been out hiking by now, since one positive aspect of winter is there are no snakes out in these parts. Last year we went to Tower Rock, a place Lewis and Clark climbed to gain a better perspective of the area. Taking the kids up there will not possible for a very long time, according to the forecast where there’s nothing above freezing for weeks.

I also remember finding snowdrops blooming by now the year my eldest son was born. That was an extremely mild winter, which made me very grateful so I could spend time walking and waiting for him to be born. At the moment, all of the gardens are buried under feet of snow so, in the meantime, I think I will treat myself to some fresh bouquets of flowers in the next few weeks.

Looking to the Future

Before I completely crack up I need to find positive ways to make it through the remainder of the brutal winter. I do set out on the cross-country skis as much as possible. We have a good loop in our neighborhood, plus there are several places in town where people are skiing. On sunny days, it’s very nice to be out enjoying the rays because you can tell they have some heat to them now.

We are planning on going to Bozeman in a couple of weeks, too. I need to touch base with some folks for articles, source out native plant materials, plus if I have my way, we’re going to spend a fair amount of time soaking in the hot springs. And, I think, just getting out of town and out of our normal routine will help.

And it is time to plan. I really should start buying the long t-posts to erect the 7 ft. deer fence this spring. I can put a couple of them in the car at a time without problem. If I bought the entire 15 that I need, it could get a little crowded in there! So I’ll start pulling together what I need. Once that is up in the spring – and I can’t say when the ground will be unfrozen enough to install it – I will be ready to go to plant.

I can completely understand why some people have a tough time during the winter. I’m not quite at the “Mad Trapper” stage, but I recognize the signs of restlessness. I hope to do something about it before I’m as bitter as the wind!