“When I was most tired, particularly after the dry, dusty plains, I always found relaxation and refreshment in my garden. Lone female that I was, this was my special world of beauty: these were my changing styles and my fashion parade.” – Osa Johnson, author and adventurer (1894-1953)
The weather does not always pay attention to the calendar marking March 20 as the beginning of spring. I’m looking outside the sunroom window where it looks like spring is creeping near. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone stopped for a moment, a day or even a week and had their own “spring break.”
The winter months brought strong winds through the prairie ripping dead leaves off the oak trees and covering the ground like a leaf blanket. It also broke limbs and sticks scattered over acres. Last year’s burn pile was burned to the ground and a new one is being built. Clearing debris is part of spring preparation. It’s also a beautiful time to see the swamp irises ring the lake waiting for yellow flowers to emerge. Daffodils have bloomed for several weeks. They seem to be resistant to cold. Loropetalum has bloomed; the vining Carolina Jessamine as well with its bright yellow buds. Rose bushes are hardy with leaves appearing, now waiting for rosebuds. Beautiful trees each spring include redbuds, Bradford pears and dogwoods. The colors of the redbud in spring are magnificent.
Other things going on in spring have nothing to do with gardening. The bird feeders need filling and water features too, though perhaps not quite as much as winter. Nesting will start and if you look closely, you’ll be able to observe the parent birds making a nice nest for their young. Bluebirds will go in and out of the bluebird boxes. Last year an American gold finch appeared and nested in a glass globe hung from the porch ceiling. We were able to watch the whole process from the kitchen window from building to feeding to releasing their young. It was thrilling.
I do hope everyone spends some period of time outside, somewhere in nature, your neighborhood, the Riverwalk, the soccer fields by the Farmers’ Market, the playground and walking track near the hospital, the parking lot or the trails at Plymouth Environmental Center. There are many places to walk, run or sit and enjoy. It’s good for health and it’s good for the soul.
Spring brings other opportunities besides yard cleaning, viewing flowers, plants, trees, birdwatching and a walk out in fresh air. Oh, I would be remiss if not mentioning fishing. At our house spring fishing is a big deal.
Not quite as much fun as the other options there’s spring cleaning of closets and chest of drawers from heavy winterwear to lighter clothing according to the daily temperatures and your activities-decide to donate clothing and household items as you clean, then make a picnic, hike a trail, sit beside flowers, watch a baseball game, feed the ducks and be thankful you’re alive to enjoy this beautiful season.
Shannon Bardwell is a writer living quietly in the Prairie. Email reaches her at [email protected].
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 44 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
