Winter has come and gone. This winter was a long stretch of hibernation for me as we experienced night after night of below freezing temperatures and day after day of grey skies with more rain than is normal for our part of the world. My creative spirit withers. So, I hunker down, curl up and read, and try to stay warm. All of that is once again behind us and we find ourselves surrounded by color. The last weekend of March, new leaves were just emerging on the trees and now, ten days later, most trees are fully leafed.
All Holy week we watched spring develop around us. Dogwoods opened, azaleas exploded, and wisteria perfumed the air in the yard. The cardinals are in full color, especially the females who are at their most beautiful during mating season. The gold finches have taken on spring yellow and are busily stuffing themselves, preparing for their journey away from us.
Last year the rivers of Hamilton County were flooding at this time. The rivers are full, now, but it is good that they are in their banks. Crossing the bridge over the Alapaha this morning, I watched the relection of the new green in the slowly moving river.
We have mowed for the first time this year. The weeds had already started to grow although the grass is just greening good.
April is a month we need to relish. This year, it will be our spring. A month from now, people will be complaining about the heat and longing for cool weather.
