Last Wednesday, the weather gods had a little surprise for central Maine.
That’s right, snow. Just a dusting, and nothing to get too excited about.
Although I love spring, I’m always sorry to see the last of winter, and I was glad for this final (I think!) bit of snow that left its lovely print on the garden.
But by Sunday, all the snow was gone, and it is time to say farewell to Snow-Gauge Clif. There is no more snow to measure.
I know some readers are worried about what Snow-Gauge Clif will do now that his snow-measuring is done until next year. Never fear! At our home by the edge of the woods, there are jobs aplenty when the snow is gone.
Enter, Yard-Work Clif.
Even though we only own an acre of land, it seems as though there is always something that needs doing, if not in the yard, then to the house. And usually, there is much left undone when winter rolls around again. Clif has a multitude of chores to keep him busy.
With the snow gone from the yard, it was time for me to dig around my leaf-mulched garden beds to see what was what, and I got quite a little surprise. The perennials have apparently decided that, despite the dusting of snow, spring is here, a good two weeks earlier than it was back in the day. We have lived in this house for forty-two years, and I had developed a routine: raking the backyard as soon as it was dry enough—usually the middle of the month—and by the end of April or the beginning of May, start tending my beds.
But not this year. Here is what I found when I started removing the leaves from the bed in the backyard.
Now, for those of you who have flowers blooming in your garden, this probably doesn’t look very impressive. But for this central Maine gardener, it is astonishing. Not up there, perhaps, with the miracle of the loaves and fish, but pretty darned surprising nonetheless. I don’t ever remember seeing this much Iris growth so early.
Those of us who have lived and gardened in one place for many years—and I think forty-two qualifies as quite a few—have seen the changes brought about by the climate crisis, and it’s hard to get used to them.
Here’s another change: no mud this spring. In Maine, March and early April are synonymous with mud. Yes, I know. I should be grateful for a spring without mud, when I can go to the compost bin without having my shoe sucked off.
But it’s downright weird not to have mud in Maine in the spring, and it made me uneasy. Why the heck didn’t we have mud this year?
Turns out, I was right to be concerned. We didn’t have mud season this year because of two things, neither of them good for the water table: a premature melt of the snowpack and drought in 2025, which lowered the soil moisture. Fingers crossed that we get plenty of rain this summer.
Still, it’s nice to be in the yard, digging in the dirt and watching the birds come to the feeder, especially when one of them is a cardinal. For now, I’ll set my drought worries aside and enjoy being outside.
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Watching
The safe return of the spacecraft Artemis II was a joyous event for a country that hasn’t had much to celebrate lately. From the beaming astronauts—how happy they looked—to the breathtaking pictures of Earth and space, this journey to the dark side of the moon was thrilling from beginning to end.
By a happy coincidence, there is a movie out right now that celebrates space and science—Project Hail Mary, starring the great and good Ryan Gosling. The trailer will give readers who haven’t seen the movie a good sense of Project Hail Mary’s plot.
Clif and I have seen this movie twice, something we rarely do, no matter how much we like a movie. It is that rare film that is appropriate for those who are between twelve and eighty. How many movies appeal to such a broad age range? Not many, that’s for sure.
Listening
And for a little bonbon, here is “Two of Us” by the Beatles, a song that was perfectly featured in Project Hail Mary. Just happens to be one of my favorite songs by the Beatles.
Notes From the Hinterland 
Interesting that you have been in a place long enough to notice the change in climate. It is certainly unsettling.
I might see if that film is on one of our flights back. Otherwise will need to wait for it to appear on a streaming service.
Yes, forty-two years is long enough to see the effects of climate change. Project Hail Mary is definitely a big screen movie, but enjoyable no matter where you see it.
Lots of fun Beatles links in Project Hail Mary! I wonder what that was about?
Not sure why the Beatles were chosen but what fun!
Spring has sprung. Lovely images, Laurie.
The little red car is so cute.
Thanks, Rupali! It’s our Chevy EV, Bolty as I have started calling it. Wonderful car.
👏😊
The changes over the decades become so obvious when we look back. Melt-out here was 4/15 in the 90s, now a month earlier. Last frost in May, now April; same with first frost in the fall a month later. Rather alarming when you think about all the species, birds particularly that time their migration and nesting to insect hatch that has already happened. It is indeed quite worrisome!
The movie looks intriguing. Will have to see it! 👍🏼
Yes, yes! You, too, have lived in one place for a long time, so you are well aware of the changes. I was gobsmacked by the lack of mud. Very worrying for other species. On a happier note…Project Hail Mary is a well done crowd pleaser for all ages.
We saw a weird movie recently: The Drama. I found it pretty entertaining. But I don’t know what its message was. Not sure I’d recommend this film.
I have heard all about it and am a little disgusted that the plot twist involved her rather than him. Don’t want to say too much and give away spoilers.
P. S. Go see Project Hail Mary. I bet you and your wife will like it.
Im glad Clif will have plenty to keep him occupied 😊
He certainly will!
Great to see so many signs of Spring Laurie and many thanks to snow-gauge Clif for all his good work! The seasons have been different for us too and thankfully the garden seems good at adapting 💚 xxx
Yes, the garden does seem to be good at adapting, but the changes are just plain weird to this old Mainer.
Going to be a nice spring week, and for that I am thankful. Perennials are looking good!
Yes, lots to do outside!
It is good to know that Clif will not be idle now that the snow has gone. Your yard is three times the size of our garden so there should be plenty for you both to do.
Yup, our little acre keep us busy.
My daughter took her son to *Hail Mary,* and I’m told it was a success. Thanks for your report. PS I’m wishing you as much Maine mud as will reassure you that all’s right in the world!
Project Hail Mary is a multi-age movie. The time for spring mud is over. Everything has thawed. We’ll see what next year brings.
Two photos especially made me smile . . . the bold red look of the cardinal happy to find a meal . . . and that iris green coming up to see whether it is time . . . 🙂 !
Two lovely signs of spring.
So glad Clif will still stay occupied! I agree that changes that might seem good (early flowers, no mud) are actually canaries in the coal mine. It’s very concerning.
Here’s my take on PHM: I loved the book, which I read several years ago (I read it in three days, it was such a page-turner), and couldn’t wait for the movie, which I saw soon after it opened. Honestly, I was disappointed. For one thing, when I watch at home I use captioning, and I had trouble with dialogue, especially Sandra Huller. And it was harder to follow the details of the plot, partly because a movie has to condense the story, or it would be seven hours log. SO–I am re-reading the book, and love it just as much! And when the movie streams on Prime (probably in June), I’ll watch it again with captioning, and I expect I’ll like it more.
Hope you get some mud! (We have finally had some nice soaking rain, and my rain barrel is full!)
Yes, canaries in the coal mine. What seems good is actually a sign that things are out of whack.
I find that when I’ve read the book before seeing the movie, I am frequently disappointed. Somehow, the books are usually better. However, I had never read the book, and I really enjoyed Project Hail Mary. It is hard missing the dialogue, and no doubt you will like the movie better when you can see it with closed captioning.
As for the mud…In Maine, deep mud only comes during early spring, before the ground is fully thawed. Right now, the ground is fully thawed, which means I’ll have to wait until next spring for the possibility of deep mud. To tell you the truth, I never thought I would miss deep mud, the kind that can suck a shoe off.
Climate change is a very real thing. Temperatures are changing. I am smiling seeing your irises in the garden bed though 🙂 I know what the first greenery in our northern hemisphere feels like.
Yes, yes! Always a thrill to see the first greenery. And temperatures are indeed rising.
Laurie, it is so interesting to read about your observations on the climatic changes in your garden – this is happening in mine too. We now have two indigenous trees and an indigenous creeper coming into bloom in April, when they ought only to appear in November! Granted, the summer rains were late and autumn is taking its time to cool us down. The proof of change is there in the blossoms though.
I was very interested in your recent posts that noted how the plants were out of whack with the seasons.This is happening everywhere, and it’s time for the powers that be to face up this fact.
Good news about the snow and Clif’s ability to continue with all the other work
Always plenty do around our little homestead.
I’m delighted to find someone else who paid attention to Artemis II. In my neighborhood, where I drive past the Johnson Space Center several times a week and occasionally have bumped into astronauts at the grocery store, NASA feels as familiar (though far more exciting!) than our local hardware store. It was refreshing and inspiring to watch the entire project, from launch to splashdown: an affirmation that, beneath all the current craziness, there are people who can work together to solve problems and achieve goals.
You bet! We were all agog at our house by the edge of the woods. So glad those astronauts made it home safely. Cool to live so near the Space Center! And, yes, a wonderful affirmation.
I am seeing changes in weather patterns too.
Very worrisome. Sigh.
I really struggle in the winter as my circulation is terribly poor, so our early spring comes as a huge relief to me! I’m glad to see spring is making its presence felt in Maine too, even though you’re a little sorry to see the end of winter. 🙂
Yes, I can imagine winter is a trial when you have poor circulation. Very glad your spring comes early! It’s always something, isn’t it? With me, it’s creaky knees.
Goodbye Snow! We got our hopefully last snow too…and now it REALLY feels like spring!
Farewell Snow Gauge Clif! Hello Yard Work Clif!
This is truly the changing of seasons – when our work is guided by the push and pull of the seasons (or am I thinking of the tides???).
Your garden will be spectacular as always – getting ready for many chill gatherings in your covered gazebo.