Wednesday, February 10, 2010

This Weather

Snow, so much snow. And cold, too much cold.

I'm dreaming of spring. No, I'm begging spring to come rescue me, from this same ol' same ol', these winter doldrums I can't shake.

But what does that mean, spring?

For me, it's green grass on our sloping yard, budding flowers in the galvanized buckets out front. Shouts from my girls as they play on the jungle gym in our yard, look for the bunny who used to live under the wood pile. Hiking up the back field to the water tower, dog along for the journey, or down the hill to the cove, where fish swim and slide, give us a show. Capri pants, my favorite denim ones. Cute canvas slip-ons or, if really warmish, flip flops, my favorite. The sun through the window panes, open to the air, for some fresh in the house. A picnic on our deck, maybe sandwiches and "Daddy chips," and then watching our girls run with the dog. Settling in at evening, lungs alive, body warmed, day productive.

It's energy, warmth, life, renewal.

What's spring for you?

48 comments:

Katie Ganshert said...

Oh my goodness, woman, you know how to paint a picture. I already wanted spring, now I REALLY want spring. Excellent writing. :)

Rebecca Nazar said...

There's this unique smell that only spring has. It's like an alarm clock--Ding, winter is so over! Yay! bring on mud season.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

I cannot WAIT to have spring again. It's been three long years without it.

Tess said...

so many of these same things...

spring also means putting my hands into the soil to build our yearly garden. that's a wonderful feeling.

what are daddy chips???

Cassandra Frear said...

Oh, Janna, I am WITH you all the way.

Now, you just HAVE to read my post today on the Moonboat. It's coming. Spring is coming!

I noticed that the birds are singing differently and the sunlight is more golden and now it stays with us until suppertime.

Yesterday, I looked at a calendar and counted the weeks until spring. :-)

Janna Leadbetter said...

Well thanks, Katie! :)

Becca - Ready for that ding!

Melanie, I bet few need it like you do.

Tess - I was waiting for someone to ask. ;) My husband likes Baked Lays best, and they are forever known at our house as Daddy Chips. ;)

Cassandra, how funny! I've got your post open in another window. I'll comment shortly...

Janna Leadbetter said...

Okay, so if you've noticed... I just responded individually, which I'd announced I wouldn't do anymore. Turns out, maybe I've missed it, that little connection. It won't happen all the time, but if time permits and I have something to say, there it is.

Still, I appreciate each of you, and every comment. Thank you for being my readers!

Jessica Nelson said...

Spring in Florida...it's nice. A short season. Humid, working on getting HOT. Spring here is like summer there, I bet.
I hope your spring comes soon. :-)

The Hat Chick said...

Spring for me is daylight savings time, full-on pollen assault, swinging on the cedar swing soaking up the sunshine and crawfish!

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

It's like bitter winter here in FL. No snow but today with the wind chill we are shivering at 32 degrees! It should be 70's! What crazy weather everywhere!

I'm ready to put away the few cold weather clothes I have and get back to being barefoot, in shorts and t-shirts.

I do miss the northern springs of blooming bulbs, apple blossoms, lilacs and forsythia. Right now I'd love a bouquet of all of them!

Tamika: said...

All those lovely things. Hair blowing in the breeze, sunglasses perched on my nose. Moving, running, walking, playing- living outdoors.

Anonymous said...

Your Spring sounds pretty good. I'll take it!

I'd be satisfied not to see snow and have weather that only requires a light jacket. Some sun, please?

-FringeGirl

Jill Kemerer said...

Spring for me is the opposite of what I'm facing today: mountains of snow!

I'd like to come and frolic with you and your dog in the spring! I'll bring my baby weiner-dog and a couple of energetic kids, okay?

Jill said...

For me spring is the promise that this year I can actually develop a green thumb and grow flowers in our yard. It never happens, but it's always nice to have the promise. : )

Janna Leadbetter said...

Jessica - You're right, it is. And we have ridiculous humidity, too.

Hat Chick - The pollen gets my husband, too. :(

Donna - Warm it up before I come, okay? :)

Tamika - Yes! Always sunglasses.

FG - That sounds perfect.

Jill K - Absolutely!

Jill B - Ohh, that sounds like me...

Deb said...

Spring feels like a distant memory at the moment. I don't think I could describe it any better than you just did. Lovely picture!

JLC said...

Your posts are always so calm and reflective. Very nice. :)

Spring over here is a lot like winter, only with some bulbs blooming. I think our craziest weather comes in spring. It will snow, hail, rain, sleet, and even be sunny all in one day. But our house is up on a hill and I am certain to see rainbows at least every other week.

Enjoy your spring!

Slamdunk said...

Inspiring thoughts.

Spring for me is playing outside with the kids and acting like a child again. And mowing lawns of course.

Unknown said...

No wonder you want spring... sounds fabulous!!!!

I love the smell of spring, the flowers, the smile on everyone's faces. Here in Houston it starts to get humid, but in Iowa I loved watching the flowers bloom once again.

Going to the beach, picnics, walks at the park, drive-ins, outside concerts, camping... oh my I have spring fever!

Tana said...

Whew! That was nice. My spring? God's promises. I can never seem to run out of hope!

Elana Johnson said...

That is such a vivid picture you wrote. For me, spring means school is almost out. And that's always exciting.

Nadine said...

Spring doesn't mean many changes in the weather here, but it does mean a birthday and a wedding anniversary. :)

Jennifer Shirk said...

Spring is kinda funny for me. We're by the ocean so we never really experience "spring'. It goes from winter to---BAM--summer. LOL

But at this point I'll take anything besides snow. :)

Kathryn Magendie said...

Oh spring spring spring! Yes, it's been one strange and cold and icy and snowy and windy winter.....

SPRING!

Roz Morris aka @Roz_Morris . Blog: Nail Your Novel said...

Spring is my horse's tired winter coat coming out in clumps. When I daren't groom in lipgloss because I'll collect a moustache. Spring is when we dance out of the yard like he's on a trampoline.

WendyCinNYC said...

Oh, I am so with you.

Spring here in NY means in one more blip, it will be summer. Either that, or more snow.

We don't have much of a Spring, sadly.

Melissa Amateis said...

Springs signifies rebirth to me in so many ways. Loved all your imagery here.

I'm still happy with winter. I know, I know, I'm CRAZY, but I thrive during the fall and winter months.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Beautiful post, Janna.

Spring is throwing the windows open to fresh air and the scent of flowers. It's the replacement of gray and white with brilliant colors.

Spring inspires projects around the house and invigorates body, soul, and spirit.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Jen said...

Spring is rebirth, that's what it is. Some people look at the 1st of January as the beginning of the new year, but for me, it's the first real green day of spring.

I, like you, cannot WAIT. I am sick of the snow and cold and overall bleah of winter!

Terri Tiffany said...

Well Florida doesn't have a clue!lol Bring your warm clothing when you come--it will probably still be freezing!!

patti said...

What a lovely paragraph!

Spring is daffodil heads poking through wet soil. Spring is saving earthworms who are drowning in saturated earth. Spring is forgetting my coat and hat and gloves and not caring!!!

Spring is rebirth. Easter. Christ risen.
Oh, Spring!!!

Karen said...

Spring, cut grass smell, bright green leaves sprouting on the trees, my flowers, baby birds, squirrels, and yikes-snakes. But anyway, all the new growth starting over.

Christopher said...

Spring is when people are happy at 7 AM on a Monday morning because it is finally warm enough to be happy! Now who wants to go groundhog hunting?

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Spring is the same for me. Since I live in the same state I understand your weariness with the white fluffy. PS I can't wait to bring out the flip flops and stop wearing coats.

Janna Leadbetter said...

I'm trying not to complain too much! All I know is, spring can't get here soon enough.

I'm glad all of you commiserate. :)

Kristen Torres-Toro said...

Spring is warmth and sunshine. :0) I'm ready for it, even though we haven't had snow. It's still been too cold for too long.

Tabitha Bird said...

Well this will probably not make you very happy, but we are in the middle of a stinking hot Aussie Summer. I'll swap you some snow for some son :)

Christine Danek said...

I can not wait for spring. The blizzard we just had is enough to make the most patient go batty. The odd smell of spring and taking walks with my kids--are my favorite:)

Debbie said...

Right now, it would be a welcome warmth because I am freezing! But yes, it is a lovely rebirth.

Unspoken said...

New beginning
falling away of winter
bloom
birds
return of bees
sun plays hide and seek

Natalie said...

I just want to see color outside again. I'm tired of gray.

Travis Erwin said...

Fishing time!

Anonymous said...

For me spring is time to get the garden ready for veggies, and taking care of all the rosebushes. Capris and flip flops and knocking the blinding white off my winter skin! And watching all the birds we feed get excited.

septembermom said...

Spring, where are you? I'm waiting to take a deep breath of your warm breezes :)

When I think of spring, I think of giggling kids at the park, long walks up the block and flowers everywhere.

Diane Marie Shaw said...

Oh how you have made me long for spring. I could feel it and smell it in your writing.
Here in Colorado Springs we can't hope to see that season until sometime in May. March and April we have some of our heaviest snowfalls.

MedSchoolWife said...

Spring means good-bye winter coats, hello beautiful, wonderful, light jackets! It also means the reappearance of flowers and sunshine and the end of the school semester.

Deb Shucka said...

Even though it feels like spring some days already, I ache for the real thing. It's warmer air, more daylight, more sunshine, fewer clothes, bare feet, fragrant flowers and the air pregnant with hope and new life and possibilities.

Angie Muresan said...

Perhaps because we rarely get snow, I don't mind winter. But your spring sounds very nice. Hope it hurries up and gets there. :)