This time of year, there are distinct signs that indicate that Spring has definitely arrived. The archives today hold a few of those spring-time rituals today, starting with one of my favorites which appeared in 2007. Z-Man captured a branch filled with Pussy Willows, also known as Catkins. These fuzzy little buds can make a simple, yet decorative display when set in a vase, a nice reminder that winter is over.

Another sure sign that Spring is in full swing, is the emergence of Prom time across the U.P. schools. In 2009, Kassy Kallio was on hand at the Lake Linden-Hubbell Schools for their event. That’s her youngest daughter as the crown bearer, while the King and Queen of the ball are announced.

The third photo is a sign we’d rather not see, but happens when we have large piles of snow that melt too quickly. This shot was taken in 2013, by E. Neil Harri of the Sturgeon River flooding five years ago, between M38 and US41. I cannot imagine having your home and farm completely surrounded by water like this. Makes a little water in your basement and a muddy driveway seem trivial, for sure.

Our video is also from 2013, when TV6 reported on the flooding in the area. We still have snow in the wooded areas around the Keweenaw right now and with the temperatures warming up into the 60’s and even 70’s, those piles will melt fast. Hopefully not like what you see in our clip today.

Holy smokes! I thought that was gonna happen this
year, too, with all of the later blizzards.
Here's hoping it doesn't. And I have always
called catkins, pussy willows. I love them in
with a mixture of wild flowers. Awesome!

I love the picture of the pussy willow. Here we use the pussy willow in
place of palms on Palm Sunday and the day is known as Willow
Sunday. Here is a page that explains:
resurrectionwillows.tripod.com/ResurrectionWillows.htm

GEEZZZZ! Couldn't even imagine having to deal with that!! Like Deb says... Holy Smokes is right!!

Uncle Rudy Aittama always said, "Always build on higher ground!!"

Miss Unc, and talking Tiger's Baseball, he would have liked this year's team, not too many of those high priced spoiled players on the team this year!! lol He too liked to say... Helsinki's Booming!! Hope they have Long John Coffee Cake in Heaven Unc!! :=)) Sorry, got lost in a couple memories there, sparked by the pic of the flood.

Where are all the gators? Swamped? Call Gator-Aid immediately.

The National Park Service ferry, Ranger III finally made it to Isle Royale today, only 2+ weeks late. They had to chop ice away from the Mott Island dock using a backhoe. The NPS has issued an alert that cold, winter camping conditions may still exist in some areas.

I bet they might still be snowmobiling over by Big Bay.

I'm sure Uncle Rudy would have liked seeing JJ
legging out that triple and Hick's bunting him in for
the WIN. Nothing like a walk-off BUNT!

Deb, they were always pussy willows to us too!