Groundhog…What???

So, everyone gets all excited over some fat fuzzy varmint that comes up out of the ground to see his shadow…Really!!!

All the old timers talk about this and that and the winter of 90 and 96…This winter in Northwest Montana has went on and on and on… I’m so sick of plowing snow and there is no place left to push snow anymore. Everyone is getting cabin fever like I’ve never seen before. Now don’t get me wrong, I love snow and the cold, but I’m getting plenty sick of it this year. At last the snow stopped falling and the sun peaked out, a chance to go out and check on the horses and mules. I even decided to brush one…They are shedding I’ve never seen so much hair its flying everywhere…With each stroke of the brush more hair would fill the air.  By the time I finished the first horse (not really finished kinda gave up) I had more hair on me than her I think… I had it in my eyes, my mouth, and my coffee cup.  I now know what it must have felt like to be tar and feathered.  I’m not complaining, I’m thrilled!!!

This is truly the real sign that spring is coming. It’s science for those of you that don’t know, here’s the scoop: Equine’s hair growth and sheading is controlled by their optic nerve. As the days get longer and we start to get more daylight, this sends a message to them to start sheading as spring and summer are on their way. This is why people who do indoor equine shows in the winter will leave the lights on in their barns with the horses, the light tricks them into thinking it isn’t winter time. Interesting huh?

So, sit back have another cup of joe, and rest assured that spring is coming (even if it is taking its sweet ass time).