An "Inconvenient Spring," with deference to Al Gore.

Soggy clay. Earthworm colonies. Exploding rosebushes, heirloom corn seedlings just waiting to be transplanted.

A dozen grapevine clippings have taken root. New fig trees, from clipped branches, are expanding as I type this. Nectarines are on a two-year-old tree. The almond trees are taking off, thanks to the goat droppings that roll down from the goat pasture. Our new goat stands on a large doghouse, balancing as she reaches for the lowest oak leaves. She's also learning to walk on two legs (see photo.)

Wildflowers and pollen waft across the valley, and the bees have been busy for several weeks already. Plenty of bees here.

Another week or so and the green (see photo) will turn to brown, and the reptilian residents will take over the landscape.