Signs of spring...

It's dull and rainy here.
And I've been fighting a migraine headache this week...

But...

The crocuses are blooming,

and the emerald green grass, for which Prince Edward Island is legend, is beginning to show through the dead, yellow grass of winter

and our famous - or infamous - red clay roads are drying up...

PEI is made of red clay. It is everywhere. Most of our roads are paved but a number of unpaved roads remain - some are designated heritage roads and are protected by the government. They are beautiful except maybe in the spring for a few weeks - they turn into red muck with deep and impassable ruts.

Anne Shirley, upon her arrival to PEI, was mystified by the red roads...

"I've always heard that Prince Edward Island was the prettiest place in the world, and I used to imagine I was living here, but I never really expected I would. It's delightful when your imaginations come true, isn't it? But those red roads are so funny. When we got into the train at Charlottetown and the red roads began to flash past I asked Mrs. Spencer what made them red and she said she didn't know and for pity's sake not to ask her any more questions. She said I must have asked her a thousand already. I suppose I had, too, but how you going to find out about things if you don't ask questions? And what does make the roads red?"

"Well now, I dunno," said Matthew..."

Chapter 2 Anne of Green Gables

And I'm not sure either although I have heard that it has to do with the high iron-oxide (rust) content in the soil.

Whatever the reason, they are a lovely sight and a sure sign of spring is when the neighbours will say to one another "Well now...isn't it a warm day and the lane is almost dry."

Photo #1 - Rinda Dean