It seems like a long time since the last photo of the rye cover crop in November. You know it’s been a long winter if you feel like a different person come spring.
Spring always has an effect on me. Along with being outside more, I’m reading and writing more, and sleeping less. It’s a funny thing, I always think I’ll get more reading and writing done in the winter, but it appears I enter a state of semi-hibernation, only to emerge revitalized in the spring.
The bottom photo shows a tradition in my family of balancing an egg during the spring and fall equinox. Egg balancing research says that this is a myth and eggs can be balanced any time of year.
We’ve tried it various times, and it’s so easy now, yet so difficult at other times, I find it difficult to believe science. Experts speculate my delusion fuels my success, and I’m open-minded enough to admit they may be right, but I’d rather be a successful delusional than a know-it-all failure. Cheers!
Curiousfarmer 
Yes, you “wake up” and there is some kind of energizing scent in the air. And you get to begin the cycle all over again. And you, as a farmer, are probably more independent than most of us in our jobs. You can decide what it all means, when to begin; when to turn aside to other interests and tasks; when to hibernate; and when to balance an egg on the window sill. Simple and direct.
About the semi-hibernating during winter. Sounds good to me; I think most people (except in Florida and So California) should do that).
And feeling better and more awake, come Spring . . . well, that’s because when sunlight hits our skin (and probably eyes, also) it releases GABA.
GABA is gamma-amino butyric acid. Considered to be a “sleep molecule” but also feel-good substance.
When GABA is released, we feel good and — as it is metabolized and dissipates — we are less and less sleepy. Not getting into the sunlight means GABA buildup.
And FWIW, “sunlight” comes in different wavelengths. Winter sun in the north country might be useless for releasing GABA — (I don’t know). Worth doing a study, for those people with funds and inclination to study such things.
Thanks Chris and Anonymous!
Everything has been at odds with everything else down here, so straight after reading your post we tried a bit of family egg balancing. We didn’t manage it, but it was fun trying. Where is your farm located?
We are in southwest Wisconsin, midwest USA. I need to put my “about” page back up.