In 1976, Irma Bombeck published her humorous book “The Grass Is Always Greener Over The Septic Tank.” We don’t have much grass over the septic tanks. Just clumps of Karl Forrester, designed to hide the lids. But in early April, Karl Forrester is just awakening from winter’s slumber. This year, it is the daffodils over the septic tanks holding forth in a profusion of gold. Other daffodils in the garden are awakening more slowly.
This is an early spring. In most years, we have snow about in early April and the ground is still frozen. This year the snow disappeared in March and, in the first week of April, we have already had days in the 70s and 80s. Truly remarkable for Minnesota.
All living things, vegetable and animal, are rushing to greet the early spring. Everything, except the frogs. Frogs have been slow to respond this year. Normally they are in full voice before the ice is fully off the ponds. This year, however, they are awakening slowly, as if stifling a yawn, disturbed too early from their winter’s nap. They seem out of sync, and that causes me to worry, since so much depends on frogs.
Perhaps I worry too much. The next few days will bring cooler weather. Little snow is forecast over the next couple weeks, but lows in the low 30s might help to bring the forest and its residents back into sync. Something like turning your computer off, then turning it back on again to get things to work again.