Ed's Corner
Ed’s Corner
March 16, 2015
Getting into Spring
I look at the big calendar in our office, at March 20th, to be exact, and read two words that make my heart sing: “Spring Begins”.
After the winter we have had, there could not be two more beautiful words put together than these. Say them out loud, but softly. I know that has to feel good. I also know that there are crocuses and snow drops somewhere under the foot of snow that seems to have been on the ground for more than a month. The tapped maple trees are only now dripping. Some warmer temperatures are hinting that, soon, I may not have to put my long johns on every morning. Drip – drip – drip the icicles are melting. The ice dams in my gutters will need quite a bit more time. And the mountains of pushed/plowed snow in the mall parking lots!? Maybe we can plan a climbing experience on them for our oldest groups this summer.
If words can make our heart all-aflutter, just imagine what getting outside, into spring, can do!
- Take a walk and search for patches or peeks of green.
- Say “welcome back” to the first flock of robins you see on a lawn. Clap and applaud for them.
- At noon, turn sideways to the sun and enjoy the soothing warmth on your cheek. Now do a 180 and let the sunlight fall on the other cheek. Ahh…
- Look at the ground for designs, patterns in parking lots, created by the alchemy of snow, ice, puddles, salt, warming temperatures.
- Just stop and smell the warming air.
- Go out at 7 am or earlier and listen to the very beginnings – like warming up/practicing – of a soon-to-be grand avian orchestra.
- Choose to befriend a few buds on a low enough branch so kids can see and check on them every few days. Tie a piece of yarn or string on the branch where your buds are so you can easily find them again. In fact, make ‘buddies’ from different trees.
- Plan a small garden, it could even be in a pot. Stores are displaying their seeds already.
A few examples of late winter’s ice and salt art 
