It is definitely spring in Minnesota. This year I find I view the expected changes differently. The sun is warm and pleasant to sit outside. In bringing out the lawn furniture, I find it needs a good cleaning, and the bird bath seems broken beyond repair. Still, the heat haze causes the fields to shimmer, despite their lack of color. Some farmers have begun their planting, but most fields still have the remains of last falls harvest. And the corn husks have taken over my flower beds. The last of the winter winds brought dead branches down as well. We are not really supposed to be burning, so I am piling all these dead remains of last summer into a pile, along with the leaves we raked up last fall. I deliberated leaving the corn husks strewn about to protect the new growth from frost or rabbits. To no avail, there are rabbit bites in my tulips and the tips of the lily leaves are yellowed from frost. I have discovered a new menace to my shrubs, an unseen visitor who comes in the night and chews off the bark. I'm guessing it is deer.
I notice all this as the winter snow recedes and leaves the remains of 2019 uncovered. The soda cans and candy wrappers are so unsightly. As are the dead branches of whatever it was I planted last year in my new shade garden. I stare at the twigs, willing them to burst into life before my eyes. I never have been too good at waiting for late bloomers. I am tempted to get rid of the failure and head to the store to buy a replacement. I will wait a little longer for the grape vines to show any signs...
I watch the tree creepers looking for insects in the bark. The trees still look so bare, it is hard to imagine them with leaf. A pair of jays are building a nest in the top of the old pine tree. The pines are looking shabby, dull and in need of a good pruning. Then I am reminded of how much I appreciated them all winter, being the only green out my window. The hawks' nest is in plain sight up in the oak tree. I remember the building of it last year, before the leaves... and the chicks arrived. Thankfully, the family has not returned.
The frogs are back... from where? They crowd our window wells sluggishly waking up. It is hard to believe they have been in a frozen slumber all winter. I wish them well, but feel they need to move on to wetter areas. And where have the flies been all winter? They have either just hatched, or woken up, to pester us in our rooms.
There is a lot of activity around town. On one side our neighbors have got their gardens started, and are sunning their tomato plants. Neighbors on the other side are bored and have started up their motorcycles and flame-throwers. A boy I haven't seen since last summer has started spending days shooting hoops. We rummage through our freezer to see how much hamburger is left from the last butchering for barbecue.
Each day uncovers more certainty that summer is on its way, and more uncertainty as to how it will compare with last year. Spring of 2020 will be known as the Corona Spring. We know that better times will eventually come, but are constantly comparing our present situation to this time last year. Maybe it isn't so different from all changes of season. Don't be too quick to give up hope... stick it out.
Each day uncovers more certainty that summer is on its way, and more uncertainty as to how it will compare with last year. Spring of 2020 will be known as the Corona Spring. We know that better times will eventually come, but are constantly comparing our present situation to this time last year. Maybe it isn't so different from all changes of season. Don't be too quick to give up hope... stick it out.
