March is a whirlwind of sorts. A time of awakening, celebration, community, honoring, and hope, even if we have to look for it in the smallest of things at times, across the world. Here in our tiny part of the world, we are waking to birdsong and light now. The robins arrived the other day by at least a hundred, their cacophony of song from the treetops like a deep breath. Snow turned to rain at least on that day, temperatures have gone from barely creeping above freezing to stretching into the 50’s most recently, herds of deer and elk are on the move, and unbelievably, the first marmots were spotted. And the chimpanzees are anxiously eyeing Young’s Hill and the Bray, taking some soggy steps to the nearest structures, and enjoying the occasional sun in the greenhouses. Even the cow ladies are more on the move.
I have a cherished place in my heart for this time of year and the enchanted blur that is Mardi Gras and Carnival season, which culminate on March 4th. It’s a liminal time rising out of the quiet and stillness of winter to, well, the exact opposite. I can’t help but envision the humans and chimpanzees marching together in a second line around Young’s Hill and the Bray. We’d most likely be covered in mud and snow, but what a thought, right?!
Speaking of grand celebrations, the wildly handsome and all around wonderful guy, Cy, will be turning 35 on March 12th! He holds the entire birthday month to himself. As he should. Cy is one of the most special beings you could meet. He holds a presence like no other.
As the amazing leader of his group, we’d be lost without him. But it’s probably safe to say the feeling isn’t entirely mutual as Cy truly cherishes his time to just relax in peace and enjoy his beloved magazines and movies. His job is not the easiest, so fair enough.
In his office 🙂 :
And beloved St. Patrick’s Day on the 17th leads right into, dare we say it, spring, which arrives on March 20th! As far as winters go here, it hasn’t been nearly the hardest. But somehow, everyone I speak to (including myself 😉 ), even hard core winter fans, seem to be anxiously awaiting spring this year. And who can say for certain, but based on some of the chimpanzees’ light-hearted behaviors of late, I feel like they sense it nearing as well.
As many of you know, true spring arrives when Negra emerges from her winter nest in search of spring grass to eat. It’s such an anticipated event, seeing this joy of hers, which turns to this joy of ours, that it typically gets broadcast across the radios.
Sweet Annie:
And we also have Daylight Savings time on March 9th, which I only mention here because it means the sanctuary schedule also springs forward one hour. We choose to adjust our schedules with the time changes to give the chimpanzees the opportunity to have the most of the daylight hours. And for you, our wonderful and loyal blog followers, this might mean the blog posts popping up a bit later as well.
Thank you is never enough, from us to you. We are so grateful for your steady and gracious support of the sanctuary residents and for helping us create lives where their days hold more than the past, without worry of the future. We’re wishing you every good moment possible in the new season ahead.
I love Cy’s office! Happy almost spring!
Oh, that photo of Cy’s office is amazing, Katelyn! I don’t recall seeing it before!
I agree, Linda, such a good one. 🙂
Thank you for this great “breath of almost Spring” post. Seeing yet another dayof grey skies with some snow showers, I now have a picture of hope in my mind! 🙂
Thank you for such a great blog Katelyn! The pictures were all great, but I loved Cy’s office! It looked like he had a cup amongst the scattered magazines! Get me some coffee it said! Spring is knocking on our door! YAY!
They gave him coffee. Honey B took it :laughing:
Janet, Cy actually LOVES coffee, which we learned on Honey B’s birthday last year. Honey B is wild about it and we bring her the treat of a big cup of de-caf on her birthday, but last year she managed one sip before Cy pulled rank and guzzled the entire cup. 🙂
Happy March to all at CSNW! I can’t wait to see Cy’s birthday celebnrations and, of course, I am eagerly awaiting Neggie’s emegence from her winter hibernation!
Katelyn, I’m feeling a little Les Bon Temps Rouler in this blog. As a Nawlins native I can hear the beat of marching high school bands and see decorated Carnival floats. Maybe a little second line outdoors for the chimps on Tuesday if the weather permits.
I feel like Negra might appreciate the dancing!
Lucky you, Gaynell, one of my favorite places in all the land, particularly human wise. I used to live in Venice as well and love this season. I could definitely see many of the chimpanzees appreciating it. 🙂
As I oftentimes do with your monthly posts, I waited to read this over my morning cup of coffee so I could enjoy it peacefully, without distractions. So beautiful the way you bring the property and the coming excitement to life!
Cy, the only birthday boy for March. How perfect! May magazines rain down from the sky in his honor!! And will this be the month Neggie ventures out and up the hill of Young’s Hill in search of that perfectly perfect sweet spring grass (or maybe some newly sprouted prickly lettuce)? Or will that celebratory day occur in April? Can’t wait to find out!
Happy birthday to Cy and March celebrants!
So lovely of you to say, Kathleen, thanks! Negra already ventured onto the hill for a forage yesterday, but there’s no grass in sight yet…
Of course I am not living there to see “robins arrived the, other, day by, at least, a hundred, their cacophony of song from the treetops”, but, it is difficult for me to believe. I live in the Midwest, and, they are not here, yet, and, I, always, see them hopping, on the ground, or, taking a bath. I have, never, seen a, large, flock, ever, in the trees, but, I guess I will have to take your word for it.