Spring; Printemps; 春 (haru); 봄 (bom) ... It's beautiful in ANY language!

Ahhhh!  Spring!  

Spring is one of the four conventional temperate seasons, following winter and preceding summer. The specific definition of the exact timing of "spring" varies according to local climate, cultures and customs. At the spring equinox, days are close to 12 hours long with day length increasing as the season progresses. Spring and "springtime" refer to the season, and also to ideas of rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection, and regrowth.


Google talks about the changing from winter to spring -- from snow to sunshine.  It mentions the longer days -- from darkness to light.  But what Google doesn't mention?

The huge mounds of dirty snow (and what you find when those dirty mounds melt).  It doesn't mention the many, many grey days; the often seemingly endless days of rain; and the mud --- everywhere -- indoors/outdoors - the mud!  And it doesn't mention the betrayal that you feel after weeks of gradual warmth and melting to find yourself back in a winter wonderland.  It can be so discouraging.

Spring can be a fickle season, toying with our senses and turning our closets schizophrenic -- Warm?  Cold? ..... Wet?  Dry? ..... Coat?   Jacket?   Can't put the winter things away and can't take out all the summer clothing.  

But Spring is a season with a purpose.  It is perseverant and obstinate and it will do what's it's meant to do:  to bring birth and growth and renewal and resurrection and yes -- rejuvenation!   And we can join in this celebration by hopping on the spring bandwagon.

Let's get excited!  Let's get excited about the little things, such as:

• Spring cleaning:  who doesn't like a clean house, huh?
• That first bird song; or the spring peepers; or the brooks unthawing and water flowing again.
• Flowers -- in or out of the snow. Flowers are beautiful!
• And the colors of spring.  The colors we wear and the colors all around us in the flora and fauna.

And then there's March Break!  Has it come and gone in your area?  Is it coming next week?  We're in the midst of it in Nova Scotia.  Ayaka is in Montreal on a school trip, Elly's sleeping until 2 pm each day (and cooking me dinner tonight), and I have a more relaxed daily routine.   

Elly and I also have Friday and Saturday in the city where we'll  continue to eat our way 'round the world via the many lovely restaurants there AND visit the new, larger Value Village.  

OMG!  Eating and thrifting!  Two of my favorite things!

You know, whether there are flowers in your garden or snow on the ground, spring is here, people.  Open your eyes to what's happening around you and enjoy what each day brings.  

And if you're really optimistic and brave, pull out that spring jacket!