The weather is unsettled, flipping from sunshine, to downpours of both rain and snow, yet the season has begun its turning. Many of our ancestors celebrated at this time, for the smell of spring, the swelling buds, the quickening of other animals, and the increased light have arrived.

We now receive ten hours of light at our latitude and the effect is noticeable to me. The urge to go outside to the garden causes a pleasant tension. I imagine sweeping the dust from dark corners of the closed-up winter house. Setting things aright after winter seems so satisfying.

One thing I especially enjoy at this time of year is the robins, those common mid-sized brown-suited birds with red-orange breasts, our chosen symbol of "bird-pulling-worm." In this season, robins assemble into little flocks and scour the ground together eating, challenging each other, and pairing with each other. When the robins flock, I know spring has come.

Indian plum (Oemleria cerasiformis) is a native shrub that pokes its cheery light green new leaves straight up in February, while its white flowers drape downward just below. They produce a pretty little "plum" later in the year that the birds greedily eat. However, I have recently discovered that the new leaves are edible. They taste like bitter cucumbers. I wouldn't eat basketsful, but a bit in a salad would add a lovely taste of spring to the bowl.

So, I say enjoy this stormy, mixed up season! Rejoice and notice the burgeoning of spring. Many blessings of February be on you all!