Robin In The Rain… March 11, 2012

What a saucy fellow, with your socks of yellow...

I dare say it, I think spring is here. It’s only March 11th, but the robin’s are back, the Canada geese are slowly coming back as are the swans.

Each year I faithfully wait for the arrival of the birds, I listen for their calls…knowing that when they arrive, our beautiful spring won’t be far behind.

I love all the typical things about spring, I love the flowers, I love the rain. I love that the strong and harsh northwest wind gives way to the gentle warm breezes from the south. I love to watch my grass start to green up, my trees bud, and the animals to come out of hibernation.

Granted, there are some things I could do without, I get tired of the mud, I can certainly do without the yard work that spring brings. This year we have lost many branches from our beloved trees who are infected with the Emerald Ash Boer Beetle…I think it may be their last summer with us. (sob)

The spring brings renewal, a sense of starting over. Turning over our flower beds, beginning to hang laundry on the line again, longer days and welcoming back the sun. I hope this spring helps to renew my spirit, I hope that I can lean back in the suns rays and let warmth envelop me, keeping me rooted. I hope that with the wonderful changes spring brings, that I can still count on the other things I love, hearing the children laughing, opening my windows and watching the curtains blow in the breeze…

Thank you spring. I really need you this year.

…And then the sun reaches me. February 23, 2012

Days End

 Often in the winter months, I feel as if I am living in perpetual darkness. Living in Canada, where our winters last between 5 and 6 months it is not uncommon for people to have depressive periods during the dark winter.

I normally don’t. Normally I can deal with the crazy long nights and short days. This year has been a bit different. I have woken each morning in the dark, and begin work in the dark, and eventually when my day ends, again, it is dark.

With Shaughn being in school every night, Paisley and I are rather housebound, we get out every Tuesday to go to the grocery store, but until Saturday, that’s about it. Occasionally we will have company, but even that is minimal. The kids and I get out most days for a walk and to feed the ducks, but even that has done little to raise my spirits for more than a few feeble minutes.

I noticed the other day that the sun is still up when I am done work, and I wondered when that had happened. I have been so consumed in life, that I am not noticing the small things, like longer days. I’m still getting up in the dark, but the sun is usually just beginning to peek over the horizon when I begin work. This picture taken last week is at 5:30, and the sun is happily shining, slowly setting for the night.

I am a total sun person, I don’t mean the type to lay on the beach for hours, but I am the type who when she sees the sun, is instantly happy and warmer. During the summer months, I am outside for about 4 hours a day, most days we play in the yard, the sand piles up in my sneakers, the ants scurry past my legs on the grass. I soak up vitamin D like it’s water.

With all of this being said, I love winter, I always have. I adore the snow, but my favourite days are the sunny winter days where our snow sparkles, when I can occasionally see a ‘sun dog’, and where everything around me is bright. This winter has been seriously lacking in the snow department, but luckily, we’ve had some good sunny days!

Now with our longer days, I am feeling warm, I am feeling hopeful, and I know all is well in my world. As the sun touches my skin, my soul grabs hold of its rays to keep me cosy.

Welcome back sun, I sorely missed you!