Mar. 29--I'm eager for the arrival of spring. Though the calendar declared its beginning more than a week ago, I know that here in the northern Plains we probably will have to wait longer until it's really here to stay.

But even though the cold winds could continue to blow for a few more weeks and there's still a chance for snow for longer than we care to think about, there are definite signs of spring. When it finally gets here, I'll be more than ready for it.

Every year I look forward to spring with great anticipation, but this year, even more than most. It seems like both the snow and cold were especially relentless this year. Though we had a nice, long fall, winter hit with a bang in December and it never let go.

Now that March is here and it is relatively warm, it is great to go out to feed the horses early in the morning and feel comfortable with just a pair of insulated coveralls over my clothes. And sometimes now when I take Rosebud, our golden retriever puppy, out during the night, the wind feels warm on my face, instead of stinging it.

I also noticed that the willow trees in our farmstead grove are turning golden and the other day I heard the honking of geese making their way north. Soon the fuzzy pussy willows will begin bursting forth in the wetlands near our farm.

Water, water everywhere

Water is another sign of spring. Our fields are turning into lakes and Maggie and Minnie, our yellow Labs, have a ball in them when they run with my husband, Brian. They come in soaked and muddy, just like our children do when they've been outside playing. We make the dogs go to the outdoor kennel until they've cleaned themselves up and send the boys and Ellen to the basement with their muddy, wet clothes.

Water attracts our sons and daughter to it like a magnet and I've learned that I might as well save my breath about telling them not to get wet. A big pond of water is just too enticing for them to resist wading in, using their sleds as boats or building a dock on the edge. Although Brendan, Thomas and Ellen have water boots, invariably they get wet. It's just too tempting to stay in shallow water and before they know it (or maybe they do) the water is pouring over the tops of their boots.

When my sons Brendan and Thomas were younger I faithfully washed their sodden, muddy snow pants, gloves, hats and coats every night when it started to melt in the spring. I've gotten smarter now and just shake off the dirt outside, then throw everything in the dryer. It saves on time, energy and my patience. If they don't mind wearing dirty snow pants, it's not a problem for me, either.