Spring

SPRING

Yesterday was the first official day of spring, the season of birth, re-birth, new, re-newal, hope. The trees, shrubs and bulbs are budding, some even blooming. Perennials are emerging from the ground, re-birth, re-new each year.

This is the time of year of love, harmony and new beginnings. The robins are here, looking for worms and places to nest. The sun is a little higher in the sky, a little warmer in the mornings. The days are longer. There's a little more cheer in the air. The Earth has awakened.

We just celebrated the equinox when the days and nights are the same length. St. Patrick's Day is just past – it's time to get those root veggies in the ground. St. Patty's Day is the perfect time to plant potatoes, onions, carrots and beans.

The Italians just celebrated Women's Day, Festa della Donna, where men bring yellow mimosas to the women in their lives. Mmmm, mimosas, both flowers and drinks. The Ides of March have passed with no apparent ill effects, except for Caesar all those years ago. The donkey race now seems to be the event at St. Joseph's Day, which is also celebrated this week.

The spirit of new growth, fresh beginnings, rebirth and renewal, Eostre, the goddess of spring fertility, dances exuberance. She calls to the tune of the rhythm of the earth, to awaken, to embrace fresh growth, to live and rejoice. Eostre is the pagan root of the Christian holiday of Easter. We embrace bunnies, chicks, eggs, all a symbol of the pagan rituals of spring. We embrace the resurrection of Christ, his rebirth, miracles of life. The Mayans celebrated the Spring equinox and this year was no exception. Will it really be the end of civilization after the winter equinox this year? If so, the Mayans had it right by partying big at all the equinoxes, culminating this winter with the end of the calendar.

The Spring Equinox is associated with, or known as: Alban Eilir, Eostar, Eostre, Feast of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Festival of Trees, Lady Day, NawRuz, No Ruz, Ostara, Ostra, Rites of Spring, and the Vernal Equinox. All the religions and most every country have a Spring celebration.

Life is upon us once again. Revel in the warmth, the buds, the coming of the new. What does this year hold for you? After a long cold winter, Spring comes just when you need it most. We are much like our yards, hibernating in winter and returning to the outdoors in Spring, waiting, coaxing, beckoning.

e spirit of the dawning year, new growth, fresh beginnings, renewal, rebirth. She dances on the cusp of shyness and exuberance.

She calls you to enter her dance, to tune your living to the rhythm of the Earth. To awaken, to embrace fresh growth, to connect to your inner exuberance. Break out! Feel alive!

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Signs of Spring

Signs of Spring

When you left for your walk this morning, what did you see? Did you notice the crocus blooming in your yard? There were only 2, but they were open, many more ready to go. Did you see the daffodils and tulips peeking through the ground? Did you see the skunk lying dead next to the road or only smell him after you passed?

Why did you choose to walk a different way from your normal route around the lake? Was it to see the coyote walking across the field with breakfast in his mouth, then put it down to munch? Did you notice the red wing blackbird call to, or perhaps for, a mate? An answer coming from a ways away, where is she? Did you even see him in the cattails? Did you notice the Canada goose sitting on the beaver mound, keeping watch, his spouse behind the mound in the water?

Did you see the trees topped by mother nature this winter, the entire top standing up next to the tree? Did you notice the pair of ducks, not on the lake with the rest, but in the standing water next to the path? Is she already pregnant or did they just want some alone time, away from the pack? Did you stop to watch the geese take off from the lake right over your head? Can you hear the wings beating, that plastic swishy noise of wind through their feathers as they rise? Or were you plugged in, turned on, tuned out?

Were you chatting with your friend and didn't notice the sparrow scamper in front of you seeking cover in the brush not yet come to life? Your dog did. Were you looking out over the lake, at the mountains shining in the morning sun when the coyote walked by, less than 10 feet away? Did you feel his presence, look him in the eye and say hello? Did you notice the broken tree branch that looked like an ostrich head and neck sticking up out of the tree? There, can you see the start of a new nest in the still-barren trees? Look at the bright green under the snow crushed foliage.

Was your walk just another duty in your day or is your exercise to see with both eyes, listen with both ears, to move among nature, another creature? Did you see the single girl, followed by 2 boys, ducks on the water looking for a wife? Or were you getting your exercise out of the way before the rest of your day, thinking of what was next, not what was now? Look out over the lake and notice the ducks swimming in pairs, teens at the prom? Was this an “exercise” in futility to notice those around you, all creatures great and small? Yes, you nod and say hello to the two legged creatures walking past you, but do you acknowledge all the others? Do you even see them, hear them? Courting, ready to nest, starting to produce new life?

Today it's warm, but snow is coming tomorrow. You can see the clouds over the mountains, the wind will blow this afternoon, pushing the moisture ever closer. There's still snow on the ground, but bulbs are poking out in the bare spaces; sure signs that spring is really on its way.

Will you notice the signs of spring?

Gardens and Relationships

Gardens and Relationships

Relationships are little gardens, surprising us with new vegetation and keeping us rooted with the old. All of you loved ones are a part of each day here, in this strange, new world. You may not know it, but you keep life growing in the little gardens I’m planting.

This quote is from my niece in her blog today from Afghanistan. It makes me think of the relationships of gardens and the gardens of relationships.

Gardens, like relationships, can be neglected for a while, but eventually need some nurturing. Gardens can be scraped, overhauled, redone, added to, substracted from, paved over and new ones made. But, really, once a garden is there, it only takes a little time, water and love to keep it growing. The bones will show in good weather and in bad, all the seasons of the garden. The flowers will bloom in the spring and summer and fade in the fall, but bring great joy when they are here. The fruits and vegetables and the tender perennials must be given a little more attention, but even many of those will come back on their own in good rich soil.

The gardens of our lives are much the same. Some plants we grow weary of; maybe they take too much water in an arid climate, too much attention to keep them pretty or they spread their seeds all over everywhere and become obnoxious. Sometimes we just have to take out plants that are too much work or no longer interest us with their marginal blooms. Some trees are just too fragile to make it in a harsh climate, breaking in strong winds. And sometimes the plants just get old and die, having outlived their usefulness or no longer had the energy to bloom. So even the best friends in a garden, the ones you always counted on to shade you or hold you up or bloom continuously, will disappear. Sometimes they go to sleep in the winter after a magnificent fall display and just don’t bud out in spring, dieing in their sleep.

Not much in a garden can be neglected forever and expected to live, so we must tend our gardens with care. Give them nourishment and water, treat them special, give them haircuts when they begin to look scraggly, treat their diseases and knock out their pests. We can just blanket spray some inorganic compound on everything and hope that most plants survive it, or we can get to know each plant, tree, shrub. We can treat each flora differently, according to its needs and wants, using the least harsh compounds to make that species flourish. We can see them again in 1 or 2 years and say “Ah yes, I remember you and how much joy you give me”. There’s always the pretty, showy new thing to grab our eye, but the plants we’ve kept healthy will be there when those new ones have faded and must be replaced.

Gardens are relationships and relationships are gardens. Both must be tended and cared for to bloom and flourish. So as you go through the rest of this winter, look outside and see what you have in your garden and if it needs a little work. And look inside to see what shape that garden in your soul is taking. A little TLC goes a long way in either garden. Happy gardening!

Snow

MMMmmmm, Snow. 17” and still falling seems a little excessive, but it’s snow – and wet snow mostly at that. Wet snow means moisture. Mmm, moisture. I was starting to feel a little scaly so I can’t imagine what the plants felt like, especially the trees and shrubs. It might not mean much to parts of the world, but at least most in this country are starting to understand what we in the West have been dealing with forever. January is usually our driest month and it has certainly proven the fact this year. I talked to a client yesterday who said she hadn’t watered her trees and shrubs because it had snowed. What she failed to grasp was that snow held almost no moisture and that it had been 60+ degrees with desiccating winds off and on all through the month. Those winds suck the moisture – and the life – right out of the branches and needles of every living thing – including me! I’m glad for a little humidity in the air (yes, my Southern family and friends will chide me about this – come on down, we have plenty of humidity for you!) and moisture on the ground. It plumps up those cells and provides a big drink, for both plants and humans. And while I’m sure the native wildlife were hunkered down yesterday, they, too, will benefit and enjoy a little (or a lot) of snow today.

This snow is cleansing and quiet, hushing everyone for a day. It was strong and fierce and forced closure of most schools and businesses even before it really started. But there is a reflective quality to a snow like this, both analytical and luminescent. It shone in the moonlight last night; you could see the ground and even the big flakes falling in the darkness. It was beautiful. And here in my little haven that only feels like wilderness, it brought thoughts of cowboys and Indians, prairie life, fires in the hearth, staying put for a day, mending and quilting because the outside chores would be put off for a few days. Today, it’s back to business. Shovel the drives and the walks for us and our neighbor, clean up, get going, do. This crazied, harried life we live, we choose; how often can we just sit by the fire and let the world go by – only when we are forced? Already the birds and squirrels are flitting about. Can’t stay still; can’t reflect; can’t just be.

I am learning to be still, to listen and then I am given gifts, like 17 inches of snow and still falling.

Beautiful Spring

I was starting to feel really good about spring!

It had been beautiful until early this morning. Days had been in the 60's – one was even 68 this week. The sun was shining, I was planting pansies. Now the snow is back. It's hard to scrap the windows. No working outside today.

Temps aren't too cold though – my optimism is showing. Just like the tulips and daffodils, my optimism is coming up strong. There's no turning back now. The crocuses have been blooming. There must be close to 100 right by my front walk – a couple more scattered at the back door.

They just make you smile – like thinking spring is here.

Tim has been working hard this week – I have been supervising. I'm not very good at it I find. I'm a doer. But "due" to an encounter with the basement stairs, this week I have NOT been a doer. So I've actually gotten to walk/stand around and look at spring coming. Sit on a bench and feel the sun on my face while others worked around me. Look at pictures of flowers while putting together a list of all the gardens we need to work in. Thinking about what each person has in their yard. I can usually see those yards in my mind's eye – in summer, not in spring.

It's harder to remember the tulips and daffodils planted in different yards. They aren't there for long; I don't always get to see them. I rarely see the crocuses except in my own yard. But I know I've put them in, because everyone needs that optimism, especially this year.

So even though it doesn't really look like spring right now, tomorrow is officially SPRING. So Happy Spring and here's to another year of beautiful flowers in your yard.

Signs of Spring

The days are getting longer - check
The sun is a little warmer - check
Easter eggs and sandals in the store - check
Trees and shrubs are setting buds - check
Hawk in the front tree eating eggs - ?

I've been watching spring come - ever so slowly this year it seems. It's been too cold, too snowy and not sunny enough here in Denver. I'm ready for a beach vacation!

But this morning, my husband called me outside. There in the front yard, a hawk in a nest up in the tree. Several ravens were there (we don't have crows in Colorado - but they are the same bird basically). My husband swore he saw a squirrel in the nest and the hawk now had it. My first guess after watching the bird for a bit was it was trying to nest (another sign of spring). But then I realized it was probably just eating the eggs the ravens had already laid up there. I've lived in this house for 24 years and I can assure you I have never seen a hawk in my front yard - or my back yard or my neighbors' yards.

Is this another sign of the economic times? Even the birds are hard up for food. Or just more human encroachment affecting habitat? I live 1 mile from downtown Denver. There have been hawks in downtown nesting, but it's been a long time since one was actually sighted there. Last summer we had a fox sleeping in the front yard. We've seen the foxes often over the years; like the raccoons, but they live in the sewer. I was working out at the gym last week when I saw a fox crossing the frozen lake. I've often watched the birds in the middle of the lake; there must be a spring there (that word again). That was the first time I'd seen the fox on the lake. No one else in the gym noticed or cared. It was 8 a.m.ish. Was he hungry or just needed to move in the cold?

I have yet to see my harbingers of spring - the snowdrops out my back door. There's still too much snow. I usually see them in early February. It's almost March and they haven't appeared yet. I was out the other day (when it was warm) looking for daffodils poking out of the ground - they are staying put this year. Usually they have poked up a little by now just to see if they should start coming out. I still have 15 to 18 inches of snow on the north facing side of the yard. That snow has been there since before Thanksgiving. This has never happened in my 24 years here. The cats have started acting like kittens again, playful, hoping to chase insects and birds; getting practice in. They don't stay outside very long though.

We are supposed to have even more snow in March and April - our snowiest months - and summer is supposed to be excrutiating hot this year. Our heat zone here in Denver was upgraded to zone 6 from zone 5. More signs of global warming. Although, it's hard to believe in global warming when it's 12 or 20 degrees outside - especially when it is that temperature all day.

After sending this picture to my nephew, he wrote back - Spring is coming! Hold on!

And that it is - spring is coming. All the signs are there - even the hawk eating eggs.

Winter

It looks like winter outside, but technically it's still fall. We had a lot of winter this fall and not much fall. It's spitting snow outside yet again and the temps are just downright frigid. Later this week, the weather should be warmer. It really wouldn't take much.

As I look out my window, the fact that I never got my yard cleaned up stares me in the face. I move the laptop slightly so I don't have to look at the worst of it. My yard isn't neat and tidy as I tried to do for my clients. It's a mess – dead plant stalks, pots that didn't get put away. Is that a metaphor for my life? Aren't our gardens reflections of us? Most days I try not to contemplate such deep thoughts. But the holidays loom around the corner, I'm alone in the house, it's cold out and contemplation comes easy.

We got an offer on my mother's house today, the last vestige of her estate. My brothers and I became orphans this year and now we are only adults sharing (ever so slightly on my end) in the responsibilities of raising the progeny. We are the elders now and we are only in our 50's, each of us. How is it possible to be an elder at 50? How can we know what to say to the children when they ask us advice? We aren't old enough yet to know; there hasn't been enough life lived yet.

We are not stately oaks or cottonwoods that have learned to weather the storms with grace and aplomb. We are just middle aged trees hoping our branches won't break because no one has shaken the snow off. There's no one left to care for us. It is now us who must care for all the others. And sometimes it's just hard to tend our own gardens when we are busy tending others.

We will get a nice warm day in January or February. I'll be missing the work a bit and will go outside to tend my garden and put it in order. It would be a shame for all those spring bulbs to come up and my garden be a mess.

In the meantime, I wish you all sugar cookies and brightly wrapped presents, the smell of pine and a warm fire and wonderful, glorious holidays. Don't forget to water your trees and shrubs this winter if there is no snow and the temps are above 40. Maybe we'll have fall in the middle of winter.