Soule: Spring Is On Its Way. Here Is One Sure Sign

One morning, when I opened the door for my dogs, the air was crisp with a hint of coming spring, but skunk perfume filled my nostrils when the dogs came in. Flora was not the culprit this time. She smelled like wet-dog, but Joy was saturated in Pepe Le Pew scent.

At 4 a.m., I wasn’t ready to bathe her, so I held my nose and made Joy stay in my office. I hoped the rug would not absorb the stench. After the day warmed up and I’d fed the cattle, I mixed up my de-skunking potion (equal parts hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish detergent), put on a rain jacket, and led Joy on a loose leash to the holding pen. Joy tugged on the leash to escape as we approached the wash area. I snapped her lead onto the gate, hooked up the hose, and turned on the water.

I’ll take the skunk encounter as a sign of spring, like the return of robins. How about woodpeckers? I saw one of them a few days ago. Did you know that the woodpecker symbolizes new opportunities, creativity, optimism, and courage while it rids trees of pesky insects? I also read on the internet that while they don’t sing, woodpeckers play music by tapping different parts of a tree to create higher or lower notes. Anyone who’s heard a woodpecker tapping on their metal roof will know woodpecker “music” is not always welcome.

One sure sign of spring is the pre-Easter celebration on Saturday, April 8, at Miles Smith Farm. Don’t miss out on this fun event where you can meet Joy, the skunk hunter, and maybe see a red-headed woodpecker. A calf was born at last year’s springtime event, and wouldn’t it be wonderful if that happened again? All proceeds benefit Learning Networks Foundation, a nonprofit that connects people to farm animals. You’ll not only have fun meeting all sorts of farm animals, but you’ll be supporting a wonderful organization. Sign up at https://www.learningnetworksfo...
See you in April.

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Carole Soule is co-owner of Miles Smith Farm in Loudon, N.H., where she raises and sells beef and other local products. She can be reached at carolesoule60@gmail.com.