Goodbye Winter Hands

Monday was one of those deceptively nice winter days where the sun is shining, the snow is melted, and it looks like the temperature should be about 50 degrees. I decided to go outside and pick up some fallen branches for some friends who need kindling. Turns out it was only 36 degrees, but I wasn't planning to be outside for that long. As I was pulling dead wood out of the shrubs, I noticed there was a lot of grapevine/wisteria climbing the shrubs and trees. So, despite the fact that I was slightly chilly, and had no coat on, I started pulling grapevine off the trees and shrubs. Several hours (and with severely scratched hands) later I decided I'd pulled down as much as possible and went inside. Not knowing what to do with my pile of grapevine, I left it outside. (Mom might want to make wreaths out of them. Now that we have had a snowstorm, it makes for nice winter interest.
Even though all that work made my spring fever go down from 104 to 101, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to move the next day. Surprisingly my fingers were the sorest and stiffest parts of me. I made dinner for my family, and it even hurt to push the buttons on the stove. It has also put a crimp on my knitting - I can only do a few rows without having to stop for a while. Even typing is difficult. So, I've said goodbye to my nice soft, white, unscratched winter hands, and said hello to spring and summer's aches, stiffness, scratches, and short fingernails.

My spring fever is rising again, though. The first order of seeds came today, from Johnny's. I was somewhat surprised that we had only ordered three items; Cilantro, Zinnias, and Snapdragons. It is probably because I am using last year's leftover vegetable seeds. I tested approximately ten seeds of each type for viability, and they all sprouted. At least I get to start some of the seeds soon. Maybe that will help my spring fever.
~Sarah