Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Dreaming of the seasons

I hope you are all doing well and you are healthy. I have been in heat and humidity for over a month now. Just sitting brings droplets of sweat. Taking a rinse in the shower 2 or 3 times a day is almost a necessity. Doing your hair is fruitless, headbands are a life saver. Now I understand why we sleep on mats, beds are too warm. I have been thinking about Spring and the other seasons, wondering what type of personalities do they have and this is what came to mind, enjoy. Feel free to comment on what you feel of the seasons, your favorite one and why.

Is Spring showing it's wonderful face?? Out of all the seasons, I think Spring is shy. Winter is strong, brutal at times, but also dainty and dazzling, winter has so many different faces, doesn't it? Think of all the ways it snows, light, heavy, ice, hail, and it changes the landscapes accordingly. My absolute favorite scene of winter is after a heavy snow, in the early morning hours, the sky is clear, the sun is creating shadows as it rises so you can see the pure white heavy snow, laying on the tree limbs and on the tree tops and yet the tree trunks look dark, such contrast. If you have ever wanted to visit a Fairyland, now is the time. As you walk in the deep powder, it glitters for you like a treasure. By the time the sun rises, the snow usually starts to melt and fall off the limbs in chunks, the cars have created a dirty mess along the roads and the canvas is forever changed. I force myself out of bed after a big storm just to catch a glimpse of this, it only lasts a few hours, but makes me feel closer to God.

Spring is shy because it comes slowly, showing signs of warmth, then hiding for a few days. A lot of people like to celebrate their weddings in the Spring. A time for love and laughter, new growth, the celebration of sorts that we survived the long demands of Winter.  A crocus could be interpreted as a giggle and an offering of joy from the shy Spring. The Robin appears and the birds start to cheer with each sunrise. With the help of the sun, Spring gently caresses the trees to produce buds. Spring may even surprise you with a hug, otherwise known as a warm breeze on a cool day. Close your eyes and say,"Thank you for that, Spring." Spring is one of the shortest seasons. You often hear people say that we didn't even have one; that Summer came overnight. Well, Summer can be that way. It's kind of pushy. I think of Summer as having a little bit of an EGO. It thinks we love it best. Summer may bulldoze Spring aside. It brings families together for picnics, kids get to play outside more, outdoor sports are in full swing. Fourth of July fireworks and the most important to me, open windows. Summer brings fresh harvest from our weed infested gardens and Farmers Markets if your garden is limited or none existent. Summer brings back memories of school break, going to the beach, singing in the car with the windows down, feeling the wind on your face and your hair blowing in the breeze. I love to think of sitting on a swing in the summer, enjoying ice tea with my sisters and Mum. Having a cook out at my friend Glenns house, enjoying the company of friends and family. To wear shorts and t-shirts, tank tops, flip flops, cute summer dresses with sandals. Allowing the fan in the window to put me to sleep at night. Laying on our hammock in the back yard, enjoying Mark's company at the Natchaug Forest stream in the evening. We love to go there after work and sit in the water discussing our day, maybe even eating take out and enjoying a beer....until the mosquitoes want to carry us away. The days are longer in Summer. I love that it is still light at 8pm on some nights. Summer takes us to Maine every year to enjoy friends, swimming, hiking. Even if we can only go for a long weekend, it is such a treat. One of my closest friends, Doreen, has a cottage that has been in her family for 3 generations in Camden, ME. It is so peaceful. Even if the small cottage is filled to the brim with family and guests, you still feel rested when you return home. Summer brings my Father home to spend time at his cottage in Woodstock, the next town over. I love going there to enjoy his company and the lake. I thoroughly enjoy our Friday morning breakfasts, sitting outside at Stoggy Hollow. My Sister, Lisa, will bring her 2 kids home in the summer and stay at our Father's house for most of the summer. That is such a treat!! To be able to spend time with her, my niece and nephew, and if we are lucky, my brother in law is able to come also. My other Sister, Karen, tries her best to visit also. She is a busy Mom of 5 so travel is timely and costly for them.( The news we have been waiting to hear has finally arrived, Karen and her family will be moving home to the East Coast this June after living all over the world benefits of the USAF!! Our prayers have been answered.)  By August, Summer has showed it's stubborn side, taunting us by burning our skin, drying out our yards and gardens, bringing with it heat, humidity and hot leather seats. You will hear plenty of complaining about the heat. Air conditioners are all sold out at most Wal Marts.

Then, it happens, you can't remember where you are, or what day you see it, but you do...............a leaf..........turning red........usually a Swamp Maple attempts it first..............Summer is almost over, and Fall is right around the corner. Fall begins to come to us in an oh so quiet way, usually during the night. It puts its foot in the door by dropping the temperature. Summer fights back with warm days and Fall wins in the evening. The nights get colder and colder so the leaves start to turn color more and more. Summer is tired, it has given all it can. And in the end, it had bowed to Fall.

Fall is quiet but not shy. Fall is full of surprises, cold brisk mornings and evenings and yet, if we are lucky, Fall brings an Indian Summer. I think Fall feels our distaste for Winter in the sense that it seems so long, that it gives us Indian Summer to bring warmth to our hearts. And maybe even one last ride on our motorcycles without our heavy coats. Fall also brings with it a wonderful harvest of pears, apples, pumpkins, squash, scarecrows and mums. Berries of all colors. The bright colors of Fall, yellow, red, burnt orange, the leaves are truly breathtaking. Every Fall, I find a leaf and take the time to admire it. If you come to my house, you may find leaves propped on a windowsill or on the coffee table. Fall doesn't last long, so take the time and sit under a tree on a blanket with your love, with the leaves surrounding you. Bring some wine, cheese and crackers and make a date right in your backyard.

Once the leaves have fallen, the trees are bare, and all the apples have been picked, it is time to close the windows til Spring. Put away the lawn furniture, make sure the wood pile is high, "winterize" your car, your home. Check your supply of rock salt, ice scrapers, boots, hats, mittens. Is your shovel still in good shape, has the oil been changed in the snow blower? Have the blisters healed from the raking of the leaves? Get out the heavy blankets, the warm socks and Mom's favorite, thermal pants and tops. Sit next to the wood stove or fireplace and enjoy some of my beef stew and home made hearty bread. Place the laptop on top of the blanket you are under and do what I do best, start looking for a warm destination for you and your love to travel to. Winter is here again, lets have fun putting on our "winter weight!"

1 comment:

  1. I love all the season Kath.I wish I can experience it again.I remember the first time I saw the snow in my life, I cried.I was so happy and so is my friend whom I shared the flat in Tongliao Inner Mongolia.It was in September 5 years ago.I had snow too in May.Thats almost summer.all these season are just beautiful,with golden leaves falling in autumn not to mention when I first ate a kilo of grapes in one sitting.it was so cheap $2.I wished i was back home to share the grapes.hehee

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