Spring Fever

It’s officially spring. I don’t care what the calendar says. I don’t care if the scientists have declared the date to be several weeks away. I’m already in a spring mood- there’s no turning back now!  Gary and I went to Lowe’s Saturday and watched the guys unloading plants. We browsed through the bird feeders and checked out the grills. We read the tags on the fruit trees and contemplated adding to our little orchard. We didn’t buy anything, but I’m counting the days until spring break when I’ll have time to work in the garden. Several people I know have already plowed their gardens and planted onions and cabbage. A few brave souls will no doubt have tomatoes out in a few weeks and will stay busy protecting them from the last couple of freezes. I’m not that dedicated to having an early tomato crop! I’m content to buy mine from the store for a while. I probably won’t plant any until April or even May.

I picked a bouquet of daffodils from the yard today! There are dozens blooming now, so I don’t feel guilty about removing a few of them and placing them in a vase for my kitchen. They look so cheerful and they smell nice, too. There were also daffodils blooming at church today. I drove through town and checked the flowerbeds in front of the DQ and the theater. Both are showing lots of green, but only one little blossom so far. Gardeners have to learn patience.

I also know it’s spring because I’ve been in a crabby mood lately. I’m tired of being cold. I’m tired of being in the house with the windows closed. I’m tired of being sick. I need it to be spring! I need to clean my windows and wash curtains and clear the cobwebs of winter. I need color and fresh air and hope. Spring gives us all those things. Spring is a “new beginning” far more powerful than any January 1^st can produce.

Of course if it’s spring that also means school is almost over. Spring break is the 13^th of March. Then it will be time for the circus to leave. Then Easter and an endless array of “end of the year” activities.  Time to get these little kindergartners ready to face the rigors of first grade! Time for tests, tests, and more tests to make sure they have been listening to me all winter. Time for intense individual tutoring for some. And less time for me to accomplish everything I’ve planned.  I swear that after March 1^st time actually speeds up!

It's spring in my heart, but still too early for pictures from the yard, so I’ll leave you with one from last year. I hope this year will be just as beautiful!