What is your favorite thing about spring in North Dakota?
FIRST BLOSSOMS
We love the early signs of spring – green grass breaking through, snow and ice disappearing, and the return of brave animals and birds who have survived to live for another season.
My treasured memory of spring is when my farmer spouse comes in from a day working the soil and reaches out his hand to me. Clasped in his dirt-lined hands are the perfect sign of spring – purple crocuses that he picked specially for me. I love the bouquet and still treasure the first flowers of spring from my spouse of 42 years! Crocuses are spring with their resilience and bravery in the face of North Dakota and its varying weather situations.
Kathy Binde
Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative
SUNSHINE AND HOPE
Spring brings so much promise after the frozen and short dreary days of winter. Nature begins to come back to life, bringing color after the starkness of the winter landscape. Spring brings new life, giving hope for the future. However, I think my favorite thing about spring is the lengthening days and the increase in sunlight, which is life-giving and energy-building.
Sandra Dingfelder
Slope Electric Cooperative
NEW DAWN
Spring in North Dakota is seeing the beautiful blue/purple crocus (our state flower), then bluebells and sweetpeas. It brings the song of meadowlarks as they balance on wires and fenceposts. It brings the smell of young green grass growing in the yard and ditches. New playful baby animals arrive. Garden plots are broken, with new seedlings starting to sprout and grow. Hopeful farmers prepare the soil for new crops as they look toward the future of a bountiful harvest. Fluffy white clouds move slowly across the blue sky. Temperatures get milder and less cold, even though flurries and even a blizzard can still happen.
Spring is my favorite season as it opens the mind, eyes and heart for a new year ahead like the dawn of a new day.
Marlene Kouba
Slope Electric Cooperative
PLANTING
When you go outside and smell the fresh air. And all the birds are singing. The grass is turning green, the trees and bushes are starting to leaf. You drive and see all the baby calves kicking up their heels. The farmers are all out in the fields planting their crops.
I can be in the garden planting my vegetables and in the flowerbeds planting my flowers. It is my favorite season of the year.
Marlys Enzminger
KEM Electric Cooperative
A GIFT EVERY DAY
My favorite would be the outdoors, the spring air, sunshine, blue skies, the first rains, the green grass, the first irises, tulips and crocuses. Seeing the first robin and other beautiful birds returning and hearing them sing.
Farmers planting the crops. Spring housecleaning, bringing out the patio furniture and decorating our yards so we can enjoy it all for a few short months.
Every day to me is a gift from God, our creator. We have so many blessings to be thankful for.
Ilene Albin
Northern Plains Electric Cooperative
ANTICIPATION OF SUMMER
When I was a child, when the ground was too muddy to play on, I would sit on the porch roof and read and write stories, and dream about when the ground would dry out and I could ride my bike again. I happily wore a lighter coat, anticipating when I would be in a T-shirt and shorts and barefoot.
My favorite thing about spring is the potential. It is not so much about what is, as what is going to be. These days, I dig in the garden, dreaming about the flowers I am going to have in the summer. I walk around with my camera, looking for signs that summer is coming. I eagerly watch for the first buds on the lilacs, as I watch the elm outside the kitchen window develop buds and then tiny leaves. I dig out my summer clothes and look forward to being able to wear shorts and tank tops.
It is not that I do not love the season for itself. The anticipation of summer makes it even better!
Bonnie Johnson
KEM Electric Cooperative
SONG OF THE MEADOWLARK
Ah, spring! These are a few of my favorite things:
The song of the meadowlark.
Crocus hunting in the pasture.
Icicles dripping.
Geese honking overhead.
The song of the meadowlark.
Watching that last snowbank get smaller and smaller.
Frogs croaking a nighttime lullaby.
Tulips and daffodils poking through the ground.
Planting potatoes on Good Friday.
The song of the meadowlark.
Frolicking calves and lambs.
The smell of freshly turned dirt.
The song of the meadowlark.
Mud puddles.
Kittens in the haymow.
The song of the meadowlark.
The way the air smells after the rain.
Birds singing just before sunrise.
Easter with its promise of resurrection.
The song of the meadowlark.
Longer days.
Sitting by the flowing creek.
And did I mention, the song of the meadowlark?
Marilou Uecker
Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative
NEW LIFE EMERGING
My favorite thing about spring in North Dakota is the new life making itself apparent alongside the tediousness of winter. Some signs of life protrude through the white winter snow, as the colorful crocuses and the crisp green grass blades do, or other evidence of vitality are blanketed by one-of-a-kind snowflakes, like the energetic newborn calves frequently are.
Seeds, which are tiny miracles from God, wait patiently in the soil in which they were lovingly placed, for their fertile environment to warm so they can delight expectant observers with their resilient leaves that emerge from the strong casing that encloses them. I really enjoy seeing the two seasons co-existing, with the winter doldrums gradually giving way to the fresh newness of spring.
Yvonne Sortland-Stegner
Slope Electric Cooperative
SPRING AWAKENING
Spring is the time for trees to wake up from the long winter, with the budding of the leaves. Blossoms start forming and all the bulbs that were asleep in the ground now sprout through the ground toward the sky. It brings the warmth of the sun, all the colorful flowers and their fragrance, the wonderful smells, birds migrating back to build their nests to bring new life. It is truly refreshing after a long winter.
Carol Schumacher
Capital Electric Cooperative
HOPE AND FAITH
Whereas, thankfulness is associated with autumn and harvest, hope and faith are the feelings that surface with spring. As an agricultural state in a region of four distinct seasons, spring in North Dakota is approached with an excitement for renewal and growth.
Stepping out of our environment of warm fireplaces and winter comfort foods, we again embrace fellowship with our neighbors. We cheer for spring, as it is more inviting to visit over a fence when it is not freezing cold outside!
We celebrate the survival of our perennials – the rhubarb plants that have already formed curled leaves when released from their blanket of protective coverage; the daffodils and crocuses that poke through the snow; and the peonies’ ruby shoots that emerge through the crusted ground.
Farmers view their plowed field, envisioning the crop rows that will appear in the coming weeks. Ranchers are encouraged by the addition of newborns to their herds. In spite of all that gambled with weather and pending markets, anticipation swells in the potential and self-satisfaction of their labors.
In essence, the gifts of nature, combined with faith, revival of community and enterprise, bring life together in our North Dakota springtime.
And that is where I find my heart.
Joyce Wagner
McLean Electric Cooperative
UPCOMING READER REPLY QUESTION:
APRIL: What little thing do you think we could all do to help the environment?
Deadline for submission: March 12
MAY: What are you looking forward to the most this summer?
Deadline for submission: April 12
We want to hear from you: We pay $25 for each letter we print. Email to ndliving@ndarec.com or mail to READER REPLY, North Dakota Living, P.O. Box 727, Mandan, ND 58554-0727.
