SPRINGTIME IN THE SOUTH

Spring 2015 is finally making its presence felt.  Here in the South we’ve been fluctuating between cold temperatures, rain, warm temperatures, rain and more rain with just enough sunshine peeping through occasionally to keep our hopes up.  On an early morning backyard walk with Shelby, I noticed the water in the birdbath was frozen only to have the thermometer reach up into the 80s by that afternoon.  The warmth lasted for a day or two before dropping again into the uncomfortable zone, of course, accompanied by rain. 

                Spring puts on a sly magic act each year.  We spend too much time with our noses pressed up against the window waiting for the sun, waiting for the rain to stop, complaining about the cold and having to wear extra layers of clothing, complaining about the expensive heating bills we’ve gotten for too long now.  Our cravings lean toward hearty comfort foods that fatten us up, but since we’re swaddled in sweaters and sweats it goes unnoticed, at least for a while.  Not to worry though since it’ll be easy to shed those extra globs of flab when the weather warms up.  Sure…

                The magic act, of course is that while we’re busy wishing and wanting winter to leave, we so often forget to notice the signs that spring has quietly moved into the neighborhood.  The daffodils punch up through the still frozen ground, their butter hued heads turning toward the sun.  Knobs of green and white and pink and yellow stand prepared on the trees and bushes, at the ready to burst into bloom when the signal is given that it is now their turns to perform in this seasonal play.  I can see in the pasture behind my house calves exploring their home turf while still keeping Mom in sight at all times, not yet confident to strike out too far on their own.

                Spring, like most good things, is quick to come and even quicker to leave.  The daffodils have lost their luster and the beautiful clusters of white flowers on my Bradford Pear trees are turning brown and blowing away with every gust of wind.  Some students are off this week for spring break which is a joyful occasion for both kids and teachers, even though the weather forecast calls for rain almost every day.  My grass needs cutting but is too wet to mow and my porch needs some repair work but I need the wood to dry out first. 

I do know that soon enough we will be complaining about the heat and the pollen count and how we need some rain for our gardens to grow.  How can you get the kids to bed when the sun stays out so late?  Gotta get rid of the Fire Ants…the bugs are annoying…the dog won’t stop eating the hornets and the cat keeps pooping in the vegetable garden.   

                I think I’m going to try to enjoy the moment and step out of the office and take a walk in the cool, squishy dampness.  Since we can talk about the weather all we want but can’t do much about it, I’m going to forget the past winter, not worry about the prospect of summer and just focus on the now.  The magic show is still ongoing and I want to catch the next act. 

Is that the sun I see?

Sharon