10+ Ways to leave your Winter!

 So...juvat, how do you know when Winter is leaving and Spring is arriving in the Lone Star State?  Well, Dear Reader, there are at least 10 identifiers for that momentous occasion.  Let me run through them for you.

1) Hummers.  No, Beans, not HumVees.  These.

Hummingbirds, being smarter than humans, migrate south of the border during the winter and return during spring.  Mrs. J, being the kind hearted soul she is, puts her first hummingbird feeder out mid-February and we keep an eye on it for the "Scout".  Evidently, Hummingbirds when migrating, send out singletons to look for food sources.  Once found, the main body diverts to that source and feeds until moving on. We were out in the back yard this past weekend (more to follow) when this guy arrived.  Mrs. J has since put feeders on the dozen or so feeding poles we have in the yard and, if past years are any guide, we'll soon see lots of the little fellas.  They're great for keeping the mosquito population under control.  They're also pretty good at entertaining old air to air Fighter Pilots.  So, this guy is a key harbinger of Spring.

2. Deer.  Likewise, these guys play a similar role.  Since Winter has interrupted the growth cycle for plants, they get hungry and a bit more bold in finding food.

An additional function for these guys is to act as an alarm clock for us.  They come onto the property early in the morning in search of food.  The Dogs, being Dogs, sense them somehow and express their dissatisfaction with the intrusion on the property. Given that the Dogs are either in the house or in the fenced in yard, one can see that the Deer are not to concerned  by the cacophony. But, Mrs. J and I?  Further sleep being impossible, it's time to start the day.

3.  Bikers.  Thunder in the Hills is an annual gathering in the small town of Bandera TX. (It's about 50 miles South of here, Beans).  It took place this past weekend and, evidently, ~70K motorcyclists attended.  It's one of my favorite times of they year.  There's just something magical about driving along a two lane highway behind a string of 50 or so Harleys.  But, because the weather is improving enough to ride a motorcycle without much clothing, they're a harbinger.

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4. Bikers.  Well, to be honest, Cyclists.  These folks actually scare me.  Mrs. J expressed a desire to go out for lunch Saturday.  After a bit of discussing options (there are a LOT of Fooderies in our area, an awful lot!), we decided on Alamo Springs Café.  It's out in the boonies a bit, out by the old Railroad Tunnel (now a Bat Cave), and reached by a two lane, no shoulder, lots of curves and hills and dips resulting in very short sight distances.  Speed limit is 45. The weather was beautiful.  I don't know how many cyclists decided it would be a great idea to ride up to the Bat Cave and back (about a 25 mile round trip).  You know where this is going donch'a?  Holy Crap, speak of a Death Wish.  While I did end up with some bug guts on my windshield, I somehow managed to avoid adding cyclist guts.  But, the brakes and the steering wheel got a workout.  And, no, I've been down that road before.  I was well under the speed limit.

Arrival at the Cafe, and we're greeted by a guy.  He tells us there's a 30 minute wait to place our order as there are many bikers, of both flavors, making the journey for the "2009 Best Burger in Texas" place

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So we settled in the lounge chairs in the shade, listened to a decent country and western band and had a medicinal beverage while we waited.  I don't know if the Burger was the best I've ever had, but it's PDG!

RTB was almost as bad.  I came around one short sight distance curve and had to slam on the brakes.  A car was stopped in the middle of the road.  Shortly after I got stopped not very far from his bumper, an armadillo walks out from in front of his car.  Gotta love 'em.

5. Old Woodshed.  How is this a harbinger of Spring? Well, this time of year it's neither too hot, nor too cold to work in.  Mrs. J had a project for me this past week. and it involved wood. My new shop, while wired, is still in need of insulation which must precede interior walls which will make the shop operational, so...Back to the old, small, crowded shop.  But, the temperature inside was quite comfortable.  So, spring must be nigh.

6.  Shelves.  How are Shelves a Spring indication?  Well, work with me on this one.  As you, Dear Reader, are well aware, we have two guest cabins on our property.  Occupancy rates lately are well over 90% on weekends and better than 50% during the week.  One comment that has been made multiple times is that neither has a place for storing clothes that don't get hung on a hanger.  Mrs. J asked if I could install shelves.  A woodworking project? But, of course, my Dear!

Before

Installed (yes it's a different closet)

Completed

I spent a lot of time commuting between my woodshop and the cabin.  Fortunately, the Spring-like weather was cooperating. Got it?  

Yeah, I know, bit of a stretch.

7. Rain.  Usually we get quite a bit of rain in the Spring.  It's been forecast several times recently.  We got NADA!

8. Winds.  Usually, we get quite a bit of wind during the Spring.  This we got...in Spades!

9.  Burn Bans.  The vast majority of Counties in Texas have been under a burn ban for quite a while now because grass doesn't grow in the winter and is now dead and therefore a fire hazard.  Our County is an exception.  However, based on #7 & 8, the County Commissioners are expected to issue one as you are reading this.  Hence, there was a lot of "gotta burn my trash pile" going on lately.  The falling domino that you are no doubt sensing in this paragraph is:

Yep, the area Fire Departments have gotten quite good at responding.  They managed to get this one out in about an hour.  Yes, I was concerned.  A while ago on a weekend, one broke out near the local High School.  The Ag barn was very close to the fire and the animals had to be evacuated.  That made the local paper.

10. And my final harbinger of the arrival of Spring is...Mrs. J.  She breaks out her gardening tools and attire, borrows my truck and loads the bed with manure, other fertilizers and plants.  While she's gone, I take the opportunity to apply a healthy dose of Ben-Gay to my soon to be aching back.  Yesterday was spent resuscitating Rose bushes, planting Lantana and weeding. The next few days will be focused on developing a vegetable garden. I need to add Ben-Gay to the shopping list.

Plus a bonus. High temp last week was in the 40's. Driving into town yesterday, the car thermometer read 91.  Driving home, there was another grass fire about 5 miles west of our house.  

Fire Fighting Aircraft flying directly over our house.  There are 4 total about a minute apart and this is their second or third trip each.

So given all the above indicators being found, I'd say Spring in Texas (or my little spot thereof) is upon us. YMMV.

One final quiz question.

That's a Red Tesla with California plates,  Refugee? or Missionary?

😏

Peace out, y'all!