See-sawing Between Winter and Spring

The firsr dandelion of a past spring

Remember the first time driving on Missouri highways 160 or 19? Experiencing the month of March is like that. Psyches get a workout.

Anticipation reigns. Driving curvy hilly roads one can’t help but wonder what the view will be at the top of a hill or around an S-curve. Walking around the yard in March is similar. There is a bit of green there. What flower will pop up? Uh-oh. There is a hole. Wonder what was digging here. At sun-up and sundown, the sky surprises drivers and yard workers with kaleidoscopes of colors and patterns.

Doesn’t pay to get too relaxed. About the time a safe speed is decided upon, there is a switchback or a curve/hill combo forcing the feet to change tempo on the floorboard. And one must be forever on the lookout for wildlife using the highway...for dinner, for cruisin’, for explorations of their own. The grudge at having to share the road is mutual. Same with working outside. A couple warm days in a row and out come the rakes to help the phlox and hostas enjoy light and warmth from the sun. But wait. That forecast is hinting at a freezing dip and ...what? A chance for frost, for snow? If rakes don’t sit idle, the yard may don all sorts of jars and bags and sheets to protect the flora just as anxious for spring to arrive. The leaves also camouflage fauna to reckon with. Snakes like the cover, so don’t let the guard down. Don’t burn too soon lest turtles are disturbed. Wonder where those peepers safely perch to sing their tunes? Why can’t winter and spring agree on a schedule to make it easier to plan both road trips and dirt-digging?

Exploring winding secondary roads for the first time doesn’t really allow for enjoyment of scenic views, unless one is a passenger and the driver keeps the maneuvering consistently smooth. Lawns and flowerbeds yell for attention before time to bring out the mowers, so any hours that can be spent just sauntering and observing are rare. It’s even wise to let the dandelions be for the bees. Rewards abound for not rushing around.

Don’t forget about the wind and the rain. They have a knack for interrupting scenic drives and flowerbed-tending in a snap. The sky blackens, the wind takes on horrific speed and lightning and thunder warn all to take cover while the elements batte. It can be scary and alter landscapes quickly. Roads get slick as drivers grip the wheel to dodge limbs and trees. Yards can be covered with damaging debris that creates additional workloads. A quote attributed to Mark Twain: "In the spring, I have counted 125 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours."

It’s all part of the see-saw intermission between winter and spring. Enjoy the ride and cherish the sights, scents and sounds of spring settling in. “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’” (Robin Williams)