O’Neill: Chores in the late season snow (column)

Casey O’Neill is a farmer and owner of Happy Day Farms in Laytonville, Calif. The opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of The Mendocino Voice. If you’d like to write your own column for The Mendocino Voice, send your idea to info@mendovoice.com.

I head out for chores in the dawn light, well bundled against the cold North wind with a mug of coffee and a thermos of herbal tea. The storm blew in overnight, soaking rains wetting the landscape as May begins. As I feed the dog, cats and rabbits, the rain turns to snow; big, fat flakes falling against the tapestry of green spring. Snow late enough in the season that the oaks have already leafed out happens every few years, but it’s been awhile since I’ve seen it.