The birds think it is Spring. The people at Home Depot think it's Spring and most certainly the "It's Your Turn" pick up collectors KNOW it's spring. It's when we all get to place anything on the curb, and whoooooosh...it's gone...most times before the collectors even pick up :-) This week happens to be my neighborhood "Its Your Turn." So all my neighbors are cleaning out attics, trimming shrubbery and hopefully, there's no husbands out there sitting on the curb ~ lest they might just get picked up!
When I wake during the week, even before the alarm, the birds are not singing, just yet, and I don't think they've got the e-mail that it's Spring or so it feels on 85 degree days. Well, even I'm not singing at 4:30 a.m. But Saturdays...well that is a different story. I get to sleep late...7 a.m. What luxury! I have a beautiful crepe myrtle (white) just outside my bedroom window that I bought for $1.97 about 10 years ago at a 75% off sale. While I bought it thinking it was a "dwarf," it's now past the roof line of my two story house... but when it's in bloom...it looks like it's snowed over the backyard. It's definitely not a dwarf. For the last several years there's been a precious little nest built and because it is at eye level with my window, I get to keep an eye on the little birdies for several weeks. One of the most amazing things that is happening this Spring is the 1st blooming of my seed grown Mountain Laurel. It's a wonder and I "birthed" it, along with the help of my local nurseryman and his radio show on Saturday mornings. I called in (using my grandmother's name so no one would recognize me...which my nail stylist did right away) and asked about this "dirt" in San Antonio. His response: "Dirt, Annie? We don't have dirt. San Antonio sits on a rock." Anyway, I went on to find out about these beautiful glossy green trees and their overhanging grape-like blooms. Then I listened in again a few weeks later and found out how to grow my own from a seed pod. Rough it up with a little sandpaper, put it in your refrigerator for the winter time, take it out in early spring and 10 years later...wa-la you will have blooms. Mine is blooming for the very first time in the 10 years I've lived in my home. Do you think it knows I'm thinking about moving to the country. Never know.
South Texas is so peppy about their outdoor ~ their beloved Hill Country and there is so much movement when the weather begins to warm. People spruce up their homes, start moving their bodies (well...most, anyway), begin to walk around with their dogs on a leash and renew hibernated winter friendships.
As for me, I just think it's rather a cathartic time...a time of renewal. Sprucing up and organizing, which is truly one of my favorite things to do. Getting all of my art stuff in its orderly and organized place. My Mom used to say the reason I loved Scrapbooking was because it gave me a really good excuse to organize things. I think my neice, Taylor, would say "maybe not because I've seen how Aunt Beverly names her shoe boxes so she can find them...all 52 boxes and she counted every one of them, while bouncing on my bed, and announced it at the Thanksgiving table!"
Actually, I've been organizing for a very long time. I mean doesn't everybody alphabetize their spices!
So this whole week-end, I get to spend looking for things to throw away, simplify things and begin to minimize my life style...one of my New Year's Resolution.
Happy Spring...even if it may get chilly a time or two. No doubt we'll hit 94 degrees again sometime this month!
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