This morning as I looked out the kitchen window into the back yard, I saw my first robin. I fondly remember the American Robin from my elementary school reports about Michigan. The robin is after all, our state bird. However, because of it’s migratory pattern it also is, like the crocus on the Lot, one of the first signs of Spring.

I’ve had several gardening friends like Ms. N and Ms. A tell me they’ve seen their first robin already a few weeks ago. My Other Half saw his yesterday. I’ve been hearing the robins in the trees for a week or so in our neighborhood, but it wasn’t until this morning I saw one happily bouncing around the back yard. Hopefully they will help themselves to the most recent Spring trimmings I’ve hacked into smaller pieces and left around the back yard for their nest building. It gives me a great feeling to know I’m helping the birds with building materials. It also allows me to ignore the chore of picking up after myself until a month or so later.