MUSINGS OF A LOCAL By Iris Mead - THE EARLY DAYS OF SPRING

Spring is here, supposedly. The calendar told us the first day of Spring was March 20 and here in the Catskills we had our fingers crossed that it would prove true.  Well, not yet really.  We’ve been teased a few times with a day above the freezing mark and that gets us all excited.  We start thinking about raking our lawn of winter’s debris, when the tulips and daffodils will pop up, and even dare to think about putting in annuals.  But, NO, spring has kept us cold and guessing when it truly will arrive. It actually happened this past week on April 19 when it surprised us and reached 80 degrees+ in most of the area.  This was 10 days after we reached a low of 28 degrees.  These ups and downs in temperature are making us crazy and keeping our heating bills high.  That is another column!

Through all these crazy days of temperature ups and downs, we still hold onto our hope for a string of warm days when our houses will absorb the sun’s rays and start to shed the coldness that it has been holding.    We want to wake up to a morning sun, shedding the heavy winter clothes we’ve been wearing for what seems like months, warm floors, open a window or door for fresh air, and wear a smile while making the coffee.  Even our animals will be happy with sunlight pouring in highlighting a spot for them to sunbathe in.

April, from the word Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, believe it or not, or the French word Aperire’, meaning to open, is the month of transition from the L-O-N-G winters we tend to have in the Catskills to the hope of warm weather and new growth.  As Aperire’ suggests, we look for the first signs of spring in the opening of perennials (snowdrops, tulips, daffodils) and, in our area, the star magnolia trees that bloom early, sometimes too early when their buds get frozen from a late frost.  Lilac bushes are now eagerly awaited; they are budded and ready to open in May.  We, as people, also open as spring progresses.  Closed up in our homes, offices, and cars for many months, we come alive as we watch the season change and bring us beauty. 

Spring’s season is actually March 20 through June 20, which is the Summer Solstice, this year. Let’s hope that by June 20 we’ve had a lot of sun in our daily lives and our gardens are starting to show this year’s blossoms and blooms.  Be thankful and enjoy each day you are given and continue to move forward.