03.14.10
Green Living in the Spring, My Favorite Time of the Year!
One of my first post on this blog pointed out that the Canadian Geese were on the move and fall was on the way. Well, today I saw the Geese flying again, this time northbound. They picked a beautiful 70 degree sunny day to fly over and they were just beautiful.
I think everyone in the USA is looking forward to spring this year after all the snow, ice and storms of one kind or another. We are certainly ready for our normal warm spring weather in Central Alabama. It is near. I’ve been seeing robins and red-winged blackbirds already.
We are ready in other ways as well. Our gardens are tilled and we’re waiting for the last frost to come and go in order to set out the plants and plant the seeds. We have one garden just for corn and the other for all our other favorite vegetables. Last year the birds really helped out by enjoying the bugs and other insects on the plants. It seemed the change was welcomed from the winter’s seeds at the birdfeeders. This helped us as we did not have to use chemicals to rid the plants of the insects. Hopefully, the birds will be here this spring and summer as well. This type of help we can handle!
Spring also is a special time as it comes not long after the New Year when many people
made their resolutions to work toward during the year. By spring, many of us have already forgotten or dropped the efforts to keep our resolutions. Spring helps us revisit the newness of the year as we watch nature bud out and bloom all around us. We again set goals and begin working toward meeting them. Albeit, these goals usually have to do with getting outside, shaping up the flower beds, tidying up after winter or just enjoying the sunshine.
I have two goals for the spring. One is to successfully raise the twenty-four baby chicks I received last week from my brother for my birthday. That will keep me very busy, at least according to my Raising Chickens book. It has already been lots of fun just watching them adjust to the wonder of new life.
One of my other goals for the spring is to set out new shrubs that will outline my backyard. The birds seem to sometimes need more cover from our dogs as well as the weather. Before buying I will search my issues of Birds and Blooms to make sure I purchase shrubs that have berries and that will attract the most birds as well as offer the needed cover. There will be more goals to complete as well but these will be the big ones, so I’ll take it as it comes after completing these two.
Another good reminder that spring brings with it is Easter; a time when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Of course this symbolizes new life, not just in nature but for all those who believe. It is a time when it seems that the whole earth including, humans, animals, and plants take time out to acknowledge this miracle in their own colorful way.
It just takes one look toward the sky to see the Geese, or the budding daffodils, new leaves on the trees, the sweet smells in the air, to experience this very special time of the year. To me it’s even better than Christmas.
So go ahead and make some spring goals and plans. It’s the best time for us green people to get our hands in the dirt. How fun is that? Spring is in the air!
