We’re spending a few days at our family retreat, La Farm, between Ashby and Battle Lake, Minn., so I thought I’d share some spring photos taken in the area.

Tomorrow’s forecast may bring snow, but as I glance over ― between playing our favorite card game Hand and Foot ― at the photo calendar I made for our family last Christmas, I’m looking at the March photo that shows a snow-covered wood pile and roof.

Today ― the Ides of March ― there’s not a speck of snow to be seen.

I hope you enjoy viewing my photos as much as I do taking them.

Happy ― early ― Spring Equinox, which officially occurs this Sunday!

Jolly Ann Lake in Ottertail County.

A gaggle of Canada geese on Jolly Ann Lake.

Blue skies and buds on trees ― soon.

Great place for deer to hide.

La Pond, right across from La Farm two days ago. The ice is totally out today.

End of cattails.

We’ve had a few days of fog. We’ve cut more than 100 trees on our place over the past few years to create a more park-like look. Our pet cemetery is at left with a white gate around it.

Unfortunately, it was too windy for a fire. Note the old tractor seat on one of the stumps. I’d love to find a couple of more for other stumps.

Over the past 20 years that we’ve owned La Farm, which belonged to our grandparents for 40 years, I’ve taken hundreds of photos of this old shed. A martin house is at right.

Love the rusty old tin roof on this old barn.

We view this majestic old oak tree out of the kitchen window.

Summer picnics await.

This is our view from our living room facing west.

Our woodpile and the old farmhouse, built in circa 1918, has had a couple of additions. Our Dad lived here from the age of 1 in 1920 until he graduated from Ashby High School.

La Pond.

I liked the tones in this photo taken of Battle Lake, just north of town. I graduated from Battle Lake High School in 1963. The community will celebrate it’s 125th anniversary this July.

A thick fog blocked the view from this bench on the west shore of Battle Lake.

Our neighbor’s two goats have four kids, two of which are seen above.

Frisky kids.

Goat glee.

This faded U.S. flag reminds me of the sad state of the current presidential election.

Unfortunately, with the melted snow and the thaw of spring, there are also some unsightly things. These two-plus bags represents the trash from “one side” of the road by La Farm, about a mile.

A La Farm sunset.