Saturday, March 21, 2009

SPRING!!!

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain

Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn. ~Quoted by Lewis Grizzard in Kathy Sue Loudermilk, I Love You

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" ~Robin Williams


I'm so glad winter is over, one quote wasn't enough!!

So... spring is here and it's time for winter cleanup. It was actually quite cool yesterday, but today is supposed to be 50 and sunny! I did a LOT of pooper scooping again yesterday (how does one smallish dog make so much poop?), I rejoiced that my former neighbor and his two chows were gone as I cleaned up the area of lawn nearest his house (for the last time!!! Every pile I scooped, I said, "Never again." -- it's the little things that bring us joy).

I raked the grass -- it's nearly as smooth as glass from the weight of the snow. It looks much happier now and ready to green up.

All my crocus are coming up yellow which is a bummer. I don't love yellow flowers much anyway, AND I bought a bag of "mixed". Only about 10 have bloomed so far, so maybe I'll get some pink and purple ones soon?

I lost the tops of several rhododendrons, but the plants themselves are still alive, so they'll come back (though they probably won't bloom this year, darn it -- since they create the buds for spring in the previous fall).

And -- WOW!!!! -- branches are everywhere!! Birch trees (and pines, but we don't have any on our property. My DH has a personal vendetta against pine trees) were especially hard hit in the ice storm. We lost a couple out back completely, and the ones who lived look like spears with little nubs sticking out. Will be interesting to see how they do.

DH proved it was spring by whipping out the chainsaw. Oh, yes he did! And, down came those broken birch trees. Vroom, vroom... I swear he grunts like Tim "the Toolman" Taylor when he's out with his "toys".

I hear rumors that the bears are waking up as well, which is a little early for them. I don't usually start bringing in my feeders at night until the end of April, but am considering doing it now.

The chipmunks are awake and tormenting Dakota, we somehow picked up one big, fat gray squirrel at the feeders (we usually only have red squirrels), the birds are singing up the sun in the morning (I hear my cardinal pair even now -- I wish they would visit in the sunlight, and not just at dawn and dusk), I'm keeping an eye on the tree where a bird make her nest last year. I sure hope she does it again!

And, in no time at all (end of May), Pillar Place will once again open for business (and I can take out that silly Swallowtail Pupa that's been in my basement since AUGUST and put it outside to hatch). Ahhh... the circle of life. We won't discuss the voles... grr...

How did you celebrate spring?

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You Are Blooming Flowers



You are an optimistic person by nature. In even the darkest times, you are hopeful about the future.

You feel truly blessed in life and can sometimes be overwhelmed with emotions.



You have an artist's eye. You are always looking for beauty in the mundane.

You have a good sense of aesthetics, especially when it comes to shapes and color.



Well... not really. But the picture is pretty!!

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6 comments:

Ceri Hebert said...

I haven't had a moment to celebrate. We don't do much with the backyard at our place since we rarely use it, so I'll instead go to my mom's and help her do cleanup. She's got branches galore over her yard. She wants to wait for my brother in law from Idaho to come out and do most of it though.

Oh, and I'd love to get out with our metal detector. My DS has been out once at her place and found what appears to be a granite step buried under the ground. Hmmm... where does that lead?

MomJane said...

I hope the birch trees out front are okay. I remember dragging them out of the woods and planting them.

I am really enjoying spring weather here. I love watching everything peeking up out of the dirt. I had a pot with some daffodil bulbs that I bought at the 99 cent store. It only had 3 flowers so far, but then suddenly one of the plants developed one very tall piece that has a huge purple flower unfolding. I have no idea what it is, but it is fascinating.

I LOVE SPRING

Dru said...

You Are Baseball Games

You like old fashioned things. You're one of those people who values tradition.

You enjoy a slow pace of life. You believe that life is all about enjoying every moment.

You love the changing of the seasons, and you look forward to what each season brings.

You are smart and a bit obsessive. You become very immersed in your interests.
So very true.

I'm going to open up all the windows and let the spring breeze in and then close them because it's still a bit chilly.

Have a good Saturday.

groovyoldlady said...

We celebrated by getting FREE ice ceam at Gifford's! Woot! I can't do any clearing or cleaning in the yard yet; We still have too much snow. I HAVE been r-r-r-riding my b-b-b-bike though. *shiver*

I'm going to ride today and tomorrow, even though the HIGH tomorrow is only 40ºF (Boo-Hiss!)

Brandy said...

It was chilly but sunny today and I, too, Welcome Spring! We picked up seeds at Lowes today to nurture indoors until the hard frosts are over for our area.
You made me think of Snow White for some reason, being so glad that it was warm today. *G*

I hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

Sarita Leone said...

I love spring! I am thrilled beyond words to see grass, even grass with limbs scattered on it. I don't mind raking, or tilling, or any of the other stuff that gets done this time of year. I am in my glory, and so so so glad to push the snowblower to the back of the barn. YAY!!!!

Have a nice Sunday! :)