When we usher in the new year on January 1st, we think about new resolutions we may take in the coming year. Yet when spring arrives toward the end of March…we think about rejuvenation or coming back to life. In fact, the very origin of the word spring has to do with just that. Spring has not always been called that. It was shortened to that after having been called “Springing time” in much of the 14th century. Later, “Spring-time” in the 15th century, and finally just Spring as it was named in the 16th century. Maybe someday, the name will be shortened again to just simply: Spry.
The slight change in the brightness of the sun and the warmth of rays through the windows makes us recharge and enter into a new mood. Spring offers a unique time of year for nature too. Slowly but surely birds we haven’t seen since the fall are now regular visitors. The call of the red-winged blackbird trills in the distance. The soothing flutter of the eastern bluebird is common first thing in the morning.
Before the back-to-back nor’easters clobbered us, we were fortunate to hear the haunting melody of the spring peepers. For good reason though, they have returned to their hiding spots waiting for the snow to melt.
Spring is certainly slow to come along this year. The daffodils and spring beauties will eventually sprout forth. And when they do, the long awaited weekend of pastels and flowering buds will be a beauty well worth the wait.
