MARCH BRINGS TO MINNESOTA the teasing of spring.
Recent sun-filled days of unseasonable temps soaring into the sixties proved a respite. And this winter, especially, I needed a break from cold and snow, from the sheltering in.
Tuesday afternoon I threw open the windows. Fresh air breezed through the house. I kept the kitchen screen door open long after dinner, the scent of sautéing onions carried outdoors.
Outside, two fleece throws flapped on the clothesline. Dancing in the wind, occasionally twisting.
As the wind blew and the sun shone, the snow pack continued to melt. Only remnants of snow remain in shadowed spots next to the fence, along the north side of the house, next to the driveway.
Dormant brown grass defines the landscape now.
In my front yard, tender crocus shoots poke through the mulch leaves of autumn. Too early. As always. But the crocus react to sunshine and temps, not to the calendar.
March in Minnesota tempts us with spring. Melting snow and puddles. And, as I write this Wednesday morning, grey skies drizzle rain. Snow is back in the forecast. As are possible thunderstorms. Even tornadoes. A mixed bag of March weather. Typical Minnesota.
Now as I update this Wednesday evening, southern Minnesota has experienced its first severe weather scare of the season. Tornado warnings were issued late this afternoon in multiple counties, including my county of Rice. When warning sirens blew in Faribault, I headed to the basement while Randy kept me updated on weather in Northfield (where he works) and our eldest texted from her south metro basement.
While clouds appeared sometimes overpowering and ominous, no tornadoes developed. To the north, in the central and northern parts of Minnesota, snow fell. Up to six inches in some locales. It’s almost as if two seasons collided with spring bumping against winter.
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FYI: I invite you to read another blogger’s take on March in Minnesota by clicking here. Kathleen Mickelson is an incredibly gifted writer with a strong poetic voice. Yes, she’s a published poet. She loves the craft of writing and is a pretty darned good photographer, too. And an all-around lovely individual.
© Copyright 2021 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I love the photo of your grandson walking in the mud in the purple boots!!!
That would be his sister’s hand-me-down boots.
Audrey, thank you so much for your mention of me! I appreciate the shout-out. And love that photo of the small feet in purple boots! March is certainly a month of contrasts here in Minnesota. Makes things exciting, doesn’t it?
You are most welcome, Kathleen. I so appreciate you, your writing and your photography.
How kind to shout out to Kathleen. I might also add she is a wonderful person to sit and have a cup of coffee with and talk about her projects. A wonderful talented person.😊
It seems very early for tornado season in MN. Glad that it didn’t mature.
How wonderful that you’ve enjoyed time with Kathleen. She is the kindest of souls. And, oh, a talented writer.
Yes, she is!
Yes Spring in Minnesota is a tease and what I call a mixed bag. You just never know what is around the corner. I enjoyed your photos and wondered if you have hung out your wash yet? Or is it too early?
I’ve hung laundry on the line many times already. Not today, thought. We are in the middle of a winter storm.