Will and Emma, our border collies

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

It almost feels like spring

Even though our temperatures are still below normal for this time of year, we are finally getting to feel like spring is near. The snow at Simsbury Farms is almost all melted, and I've actually seen some daffodil leaves poking their heads above ground over there. At our house, though, some of my gardens are still covered in piles of snow, but where they are bare, I see the tips of some of the hardy plants still showing. The buds are expanding on the trees, too. The willows are turning a yellow color, the Bradford pear buds are plump and some of the flowering shrubs are glowing red, to let us know that they are getting ready for the spring too. My rhododendrons, which have been fighting the cold air all winter by curling their leaves back into themselves, are looking a lot better too. Although this morning was another cold one (about 25 degrees F) and their leaves are curled again. Plants and people will be happier when the warmer weather gets here.

But the dogs, well, they don't mind the cold at all. They seem to prefer it to the hot humid days of summer. But there are lots of times in between, too, that they love, with the more moderate temperatures of spring and fall. Just like in life, we need a good balance. It would be hard to imagine living in a mono-climate, all winter or all summer. The annual cycle we live in, especially in the northeast, gives time to experience different aspects of life, at times more introspective like when we 'hibernate' in the frigid winter months. And then it is balanced by the more outward summer months, when we want to be outdoors more, either in our gardens, walking, biking, traveling or just sitting on the deck enjoying a warm evening.

Thank goodness for change in life, and for the annual cycle of things. It works best for all of us. Too much of one thing, and no one wins.