Taking delight in the changing seasons
Spring came early this year. A whole month early. Reports said it was the warmest March in 30 years. Temperatures leaped into the low to mid 40’s and steady breezes vaporized the snow. The distinct drumming of woodpeckers echoed through the trees. This is the type of weather that brings a gardener’s spirit out of hibernation.
To my delight, the lawn was almost completely free of snow by the third week of March, which is quite unusual for my location on the north side of the valley. It was littered with big, brownish leaves from the cottonwood trees. You’re not supposed to walk on a wet lawn, I know that; but I just couldn’t help myself. I simply wanted to honestly be able to say that I was raking leaves. In March!
A rewarding effort
I like yard work. Weird, I know. But I really do like yard work. There’s just something about being out in the fresh, Spring air doing something physical. I love the transitional process of tidying up and all the chores that come with the change of seasons. Re-organizing the garden shed and putting away the snow shovel, the ice chipper and the traction sand is the little ritual that declares winter is finally over!
It’s a delight to take inventory of my pots, planters and gardening tools. Gotta remember to get more spools for the weed trimmer and washers for the hoses. I want to have everything I need on hand and in good working order so I don’t have to make a run to the store in the middle of a project. Perhaps one of the reasons I’m energized, rather than drained is because of what’s ahead.
In the first week of April, it’s delightful to get a head start on cleaning up my flower beds. It’s the first opportunity to get a sense of what’s happening there. Because I haven’t seen them since October, it’s like re-connecting with dear friends. Some are my “rock stars” that I can count on coming back year after year.
Others, I had planted knowing they were ‘tender’ perennials for my area. Although they have done well the last couple of years, I’m never sure what conditions might do them in. They are the ones that keep me in suspense.
Still, gently sifting thru the mulch is a bit like rummaging through the stuff underneath the house. Sometimes you find something you forgot you had! Rather than a task I “gotta do”, it’s something I look forward to. The sooner I can get at them, the sooner they will start looking great.
Welcome Spring
The tiniest buds are appearing on the willow and wild roses. That means the trumpeter swans and sand hill cranes will arrive any day now. Alaska’s daylight hours are getting longer making it possible to work out in the yard until 8pm. Raking leaves in the early evening hours, I keep an ear out for the robin’ s song. There is much delight in the changing of seasons.
Other short stories you may enjoy:
Behind the Scenes of a One Woman Operation
