by Linda Shaffer
From where I sit, spring rain doesn’t look a darned bit different than winter rain or fall rain or summer rain. Rain is rain and we get a lot of it here on the beautiful Oregon Coast. So how do I know it’s spring? The weatherman told me so and the date is marked on the calendar. It’s a planetary shifting thing that all of us have to trust. This is not a time for questions unless you want to do a lot of studying. I find it easier to talk with Mother Nature but she’s been difficult to contact lately. She’s busy trying to explain changes in weather caused by human beings. This can’t be an easy task. Just try to accept that spring in the Northern Hemisphere started on March 20.
You may have to seek them out, but there are some very happy signs of spring out there. Skunk cabbage is in full bloom. Though is smells like its namesake, this beauty puts up large bright yellow blossoms and turns wet lowlands into fields of yellow flags. I wouldn’t suggest bringing a bouquet home. Daffodils are another matter. I love these happy yellow beauties, in particular the ones that come up in fields. I always wonder at what kind of house was in that spot once. You see them along the road, too. I know that someone planted them at some time in the past. I always wonder who they were and what their lives were like.
In the good old days I had a lot of spring flowers planted around the house, pansies and primroses were my favorites but they were also in the preferred food group of slugs. It is hard for me to accept the fact that I was once winning the war against these slimy creatures but lost by default. Just one season is all it takes. The word gets out that you are stuck in the house for health reasons and the slug drums start to beat. They come from near and far. They eat everything, burp, create a new generation and settle in. It should be noted that they do have a conscience. They leave tulips, violets and other goodies for the deer and bunnies. Sharing is caring.
Since not everything is great about spring, let us discuss the time change. You probably thought I missed it, but I didn’t. I just don’t like it. Life hasn’t been the same since March 14. Instead of eating dinner at 5pm we are eating at six or even 7pm. This is not good for old people. The food doesn’t get moved far enough along in the circle of life before bedtime arrives. This makes for heartburn and other sorts of indigestion in addition to loss of sleep. It also raised hell with our ice cream schedule. Ice cream time used to be at 7:30pm. No earlier. No later. Last night we had to call it off and settle for a cookie because it was 9pm and too late for ice cream. Yes, I know this will work itself out before the next time change but why does it have to?
I’ve thought about protesting this time change thing. If Mr. S will help me, I’ll make a cardboard sign and write “Stop the time change” on it. Because of my cane I can only hold the sign with one hand so it can’t have a handle (too heavy). I won’t be able to get much further than the front porch because of the aforementioned rain. Only the neighbor lady and a few motorists might see me. Nevermind. Just know that I want us to pick a time and stay with it.
Back at springtime, the alders are starting to flush and the willows, too. Evergreens are changing color on the outer branches ever so slightly. Spring comes slowly to where we live but it’s here and that means there will be summer and our bones will stop hurting so much. Our best summer months are August and September so maybe that’s why spring is such a big deal around here. It last so gosh-darned long. Have a good week my friends.
