Mother Nature is confused

We're used to getting a lot of snow here and even in the lean years, more snow than most places. Not this year. Part of me is excited that maybe we'll have so little snow to melt in the spring that I'll be gardening early (of course if I plant early, we'll get a freeze right away), but the other part knows that this is bad - for the rivers, for summer fire danger, and for our local economy, among other things.

The compost bin (I don't usually put anything in it in the winter, but if this keeps up...)

The southwest side of the house

And, my most shocking discovery today...my rhubarb is trying to come up on the south side of the house. It was 8 degrees outside when I took this picture, yet the rhubarb is guessing it's time to come out and play since there's no snow to stop it.

And the garden gnome, Gunther, is usually in snow up past his eyeballs by now. 

So, even though I don't have a ski pass this year and I am itching to get gardening again, I will hope for snow...I mean it's winter! In Wyoming! I will yearn for summer bounty in its due time, but for now I'll hope our winter bounty starts to look better.