Happy Springtime!

“Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn.” ~ quoted by Lewis Grizzard in Kathy Sue Loudermilk, I Love You.

I have a new sense of purpose, an ultimate feeling of resolve.

Perhaps it’s because, after a much needed rest and some time for myself, I’ve realized that complaining doesn’t do much. Like screaming at a car engine to start when it’s stalled, complaining wastes just about the same amount of energy. It also builds resentment. I’m attempting to improve myself, so resentment and complaints are not only wasted energy, but direct ways to prevent myself from seeing the absolute joys that Life truly has to offer.

It could also be that Spring is looming on the horizon. Today is the last day of Winter, and I’m already beginning my spring cleaning around the home – the “big vacuuming”, as my mom used to put it, is basically done, save for moving a few pieces of furniture in my bedroom. My husband has willingly offered his services for this task, so I’m pretty pumped to get this accomplished this weekend. The floors have been totally bleached. I washed them once, and on the high traffic areas, I washed them three times, including one bleach wash. I cannot even tell you what I found on my floors, and believe me, my floors are not filthy. I even got to deep clean the bathroom, and let me tell you, I feel accomplished. Spring cleaning is a wonderful thing, at least to me.

My daughter pitched in today and dusted the entire house. Granted, there are times where I have to overlook places that she missed. But I am truly grateful that she saved me the trouble of this task, because now I can get to the chore of polishing all of the wood in the home. This, too, is a once a year task, usually reserved for the spring, when things are starting fresh and the windows can be opened and the house can finally be aired out from the mustiness of winter and forced hot air.

I cleared off the dining room table, too. Since it resides right by the front door, it has become a bit of a catch-all; bags from recent purchases, mail, flyers from the newspaper, and items from this past winter have taken up residence upon the tablecloth. So far, I’ve packed away two sets of snow pants with bibs, six pairs of gloves, eight scarves, three hats, three puffy vests, and five jackets. I’m so proud of myself that I’m bursting! I can actually see the tablecloth!

Life begins anew in the spring. I’ve noticed that some of the crocuses are peeking through the dirt in the yard, and the plot where we planted daylilies is showing signs of life. I’ve seen quite a few robins on the parkway, but a few days ago, I noticed a red-winged blackbird. Usually seen in the summer, these birds are usually seen wherever there is high brush. I saw this particular fellow along Ocean Parkway; my husband took us down to Jones Beach this weekend in an attempt to clear out our lungs from the flu that took us all hostage over the past few weeks. What a wonderful day it was – after a day by the shoreline, I was longing for warmer days and looking forward to the MS Walk that’s set for May.

The parkway brush is showing signs of life, as well. If you look closely, you can see the faint greens of the forsythia buds that are beginning to sprout upon the branches. My lawn may still look the color of straw, but if I peer closely, I see hints of new growth beneath. I’m looking forward to breaking out the thatcher, to get all of the old grass cleared!

My dogs are incredibly ecstatic about the fact that the snow has finally melted out of the backyard. The puppy, Luna, (who is actually turning 2 in June) has taken full advantage of this fact. Her “wild puppy runs”, where she tears through the yard at top speed, from one end to the other until she is exhausted, are evidence of a very happy dog. My golden retriever, Candy, who normally does her business and runs back to the door to come in, is now quite content to rest upon the deck and enjoy the sunshine. Although the temperatures aren’t truly cooperating yet, I’m sure that the warmer weather is not too far away.

Spring is actually my favorite season, even though it is killer on my allergies. I love to watch the flowers in bloom, the trees as they awaken from their long winter slumber, the grass as it greens up, the buds on branches as they begin to pop open. Yes, I take my Allegra and I’m prepared for the season. To me, there’s really nothing like the 50 and 60 degree temps to brighten anyone’s day. Especially after this winter, which seems to have been the most drawn out season to date.

Now that we’ve reset the clocks, I really enjoy having longer days. With the sun still shining at 5:30 pm, it’s a promise that brighter days are ahead. I heard the ice cream man on Sunday; the strains of the Mr. Softee song, somewhere off in the neighborhood, brought a smile to my face as I realized that Winter 2013-14 will soon be a thing of the past. Fireside chats, spring barbecues, and setting up my patio furniture are things to look forward to…even opening the pool, sometime in April, will be a glorious event.

I had a garden flag flying in the front of the house that said, “Let it snow!” After the last storm, I removed it promptly, because I had the distinct feeling that Mother Nature was taking the sentiment literally. I noticed that I had a tablecloth with the same notation upon it, and I quickly tossed it in the laundry and replaced it with a bright spring one. I don’t want to give Mother Nature any more ideas about “winter’s last hurrah”.

I’m sure that most Long Islanders are thankful that spring is looming on the horizon. In retrospect, I’m actually a little grateful for what winter taught us, what it gave us, and what I’ve learned from this past season. I’m grateful for the calories I burned while shoveling. I’m grateful for the help that I was able to afford others who were unable to help themselves this winter. I’m grateful for the cold nights when I slept with the window open a crack, because it helped with my hot flashes. I’m grateful for the togetherness that winter forged upon my family, for our ability to work together to get the job done. I’m grateful for neighbors who assisted me, whether shoveling for me when I couldn’t, or helping me to back out of a very icy, snowy driveway, or for plowing me out so that I didn’t have to work quite as hard. I’m grateful for the winter, because it’s made me truly appreciate the warmer weather, the milder temperatures, and the new beginnings that are created in the springtime.

Here’s wishing you a wonderful first day of spring tomorrow!