Almost Spring by Barbara Quinn

The days are growing longer, the sun is stronger and in spite of the fact that winter is still around trying to hold my attention with rude blasts of cold and ice, I know that these are desperate attempts, all sound and fury with very little to back them up. Already spring goods are on the shelves. The floral displays in the supermarket and the arrangements in the stores feature bunnies, and eggs, bright purples and oranges. There are stone frogs and mushrooms waiting for a garden home. I’ll be planting an herb garden again this year, and I’m looking forward to stashing the winter coat and pulling out the pale green spring jacket.

I’m grateful for the cycle of seasons, each one seductive, luring you in and charming you for a few weeks and then fading away. How good it is to be seduced again by the same seasonal familiar lover. Fall wraps around you like a warm blanket, all warm and toasty, dressed in soothing oranges and brown. Winter’s icy breath and chilly arms aren’t easy for me to warm up to, but I’m content to sit and listen and watch while winter does its thing. Spring’s fragrances and bursts of color are ever-changing and bursting with intensity, inciting an outdoor frenzy that arouses all the senses. Summer is my favorite time of year: lush, green and abundant, inviting lazy days basking in its sunny arms. It’s nice to have the variety and comforting to have future seasons to look forward to.

The earth will soon be ripe and ready for planting. My two peach trees will bud and the crocuses will poke their heads above ground. I’ll be outside more, welcoming spring’s arms of hope and promise. Bye, bye February!