Seasons Change — Signs of Spring!

It seems like a very short time ago that we were sitting here, shivering, because it was the coldest week in 60 years.

As I moved the recycling from the kitchen to the garage earlier, I walked around outside for a bit, because the relentless rain was taking a brief break.

And then I spotted an actual bud on one of our lilac bushes! Maybe the lilacs know something I don't — we have snow in the forecast for March 2nd and a couple of days after.

In truth, I suppose it is just evidence of the days getting longer, even if they are not getting warmer. Somehow, it was a welcome sight... a couple of days ago, I read a post on a regional meteorologist's blog that talked about the likelihood of "a mini ice-age" over the next 20 years being "not unlikely."

Gets me to thinking about how the past three summers have been quite cool. They were quite warm a decade ago.

That's the interesting thing, about ice ages. They don't happen as a result of icy winters, they happen as a result of summers never getting very warm.

Walking around a bit more, I also spotted a group of daffodils that had suddenly shot out of the ground. I'm pretty sure there was nothing there, even a week ago!

Soon all those yellow forsythia's will start to bloom, and we will know that the end of winter is at hand. Whereas I don't really mind winter and being cooped up inside, I am really looking forward to gardening season!

There will be a lot to do, this spring. A friend — whose family has a landscaping company on the other side of the Sound — has promised that he'll drive over with a load of high quality topsoil and compost. All the raised beds need "conditioning" this year... the soil is getting a bit "tired."

This seemed not very long ago!

Aside from just walking in nature and truly immersing myself in the experience, I think gardening — and getting my hands in the soil — is one of the most healing and relaxing things I have. I guess I am very much an "earth person!"

Sometimes it feels like most the world is losing touch with this aspect of existence, escaping into virtual worlds made of technology. And yet? We still have to eat, and someone has to grow that food.

Even though I have spent much of my life working with technology, and being immersed in those worlds... I find myself craving more and more connection with the "basics" like nature and earth... and people. People, beyond their avatars...

For now, though, I shall keep an eye on the weather reports, and hope that the snow passes us by. We're only a couple of weeks from the start of Daylight Saving time... so long evenings become a thing, again.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great rest of your week!

How about you? Is spring happening in your part of the world (or autumn, if you're down south)? Or do you not have pronounced seasons? Leave a comment if you feel so inclined — share your experiences — be part of the conversation!

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Created at 2024.02.21 01:47PST
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