MARCH 20, 2024 - SPRING HAS SPRUNG

 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20  SPRING HAS SPRUNG

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Officially, at 10:06 p.m. last night - spring began. Although my clock indicated that more daytime had occurred for a few days already as sunrise had been at 7:38 and sunset at 7:41. Of course, that is at a house on the top of a hill, so the sun's rays reached the house.

Growing up in Iowa, there was discussion on the first spring day - is that the same as the day of spring? We (in Texas) have had some spring-like days for a month now. In Madison, South Dakota, where I lived for 18 years, the forecast for today is a high of 45 degrees and a low of 20 degrees. Definitely not a "springlike day"!!!  

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Years ago, we sang Edvard Grieg's Last Spring (with English lyrics) in the High School Choir. The following differs from what we sang, but it's close enough.

Yes, once again

I can see winter leave

And spring time advancing.

Buds soon ahead on

Hedges and Trees

And flowers are dancing

Life in its beauty once again, I see

Yet, I wonder if this is the last spring forever.

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Grieg was from Norway, where winter weather lasted into April (or even May). He writes this as an old man reflecting on whether this is his last spring.

But I am melancholy and must ask myself:

Might it be the last?

So be it: I had much beauty

to enjoy life.

I received more than I had deserved,

and all things must end.

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Might this spring be the last spring for any of us? It might be.

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SOME SPRING QUOTES:

"The earth laughs in flowers"

"Spring is far more than just a changing of seasons; it's a rebirth of the spirit"

"Spring is the time of plans and projects"

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

"You can cut all the flowers, but you cannot keep spring from coming"

"April has put a spirit of youth in everything"

"Where flowers bloom, so does hope" 

"April showers bring May flowers"

"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn"

"In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather within 24 hours."

"O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?"

"Spring fever, spring is here at last. Spring fever, my heart's beating fast. Get up, get out. Spring is everywhere."

(I like the quote, "I have counted 136 different kinds of weather within 24 hours")

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It is a time of new beginnings. We replanted our gardens, bought new plants, and potted tomatoes into new containers. We have hope!! I have not had tomatoes from my own tomato plants for three years. They started well. I watered them carefully (although two years ago, I overwatered them and got "blossom end rot").  

My grandfather loved to garden. We had an oversized lot, and he would plant things carefully. He put out strings to mark the rows. He had tongue depressors at the end of the rows with the particular name and expected maturity date. For certain things (like green beans), he spaced the seeds out well. He planted cucumbers in hills (or mounds).

I was never quite as fastidious as he was. My rows swayed a little (but they were in a line). I didn't go back and thin the rows so that just some would grow (that is, less competition for sunlight and rain). Before I went to kindergarten, I was his helper (I'm curious how much help I was).  

I stepped on the end of the garden rake once and punctured my big toe. And, as I stepped on the tines, the handle came up to bonk me on my nose!! 

I still get excited about spring. I haven't bought anything this year, but my patio still has Swiss Chard, Spinach, and carrots growing from last year. (I did bring them in on some of the cold nights.)  I clip off the Chard and Spinach frequently leaves for some great salads.  

Before moving to Georgetown, I made the ultimate garden spot: a raised garden bed. I assembled walls, dug down, and filled the walls with manure, peat moss, and other soils. It was a pretty good garden. I watered it faithfully. The kale did the best, but I got tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and peppers. 

Ah, yes, SPRING touches my heart (and my mind).

Like Grieg, I wonder if this is the last springtime for me. (I don't think so - or I hope not.)

We are eleven days until Easter - maybe we will have to have a Bridge Brat Easter Egg hunt next week!!! 

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LOVE WINS!!!

Karen White