Signs of Spring

When it comes to weather predictions, I don't put much faith in a groundhog.  Mr. Furball is too Hollywood for me- and we know there's not much truth-telling in those parts.  Instead, I tend to believe the signs from other critters.  In my opinion, they have much better prediction skills of when it is time to dig out of hibernation and play.

All week I've been serenaded by lovely songbirds from our front trees.  Tim still hasn't heard them, which reminds me that it is time to schedule a hearing test for my hubby.  (How does one do that?) This morning I mentioned the need again for an appointment to hear him say, "what'd you say?" which confirms my suspicion his ears aren't what they used to be.  That's ok, we love each other regardless of our handicaps and hangups!

Since I'm on the road ALL hours of the day and night, I've noticed that lots of other furry friends are scampering around.  Maybe they are enjoying the brief reprieve we've had with winter but I'm holding out hope that spring is right around the corner.

This momma needs sunshine in her life.  

Regardless, the calendar will announce the season in just a little over a month.  With a giant daisy circled around the date, I'm giddy for all things spring.

Today is Valentine's Day.  Most years, we have a "no gift" rule but funny enough we both broke it this morning, with simple and sweet treats.  I put together a snack pack for hubby, he had tulips waiting in my car as I left for work.  The thought of digging in the dirt and planting flowers has me brimming over with JOY.

I'm also ready for...

 green buds on trees 

and signs of life anew.  

flip-flops and painted toes.  

picnics and walks in the park.  

windows open, fresh air.

dusting off the deck.

all things spring!

What are you looking forward to with the new season?

Still Standing: Spring Showers

My monthly post for Still Standing Magazine was submitted earlier this week.  And, like always, nobody knew about the post prior to me sending.  Not even family because I like for them to have true reactions to whatever I've written.

My posts for Still Standing are raw, in the moment, or unedited reflections from my child loss journey. They do not always contain the joy I try hard to express on this blog, because through this walk in grief, joy has not always been present.

Having only been a monthly contributor for six months now, many aren't even aware I'm regularly writing for this publication.  This month, I write about spring and the memories of Austin the season brings.  A major focus of the story includes daffodils.

Monday, when I arrived home from work, these greeted me from the kitchen.

Picked by my mom and the kids.

And I couldn't help but feel a hug from above from Austin, too.

Go check out the full post here and see if you agree...

Looking Forward

I've felt a little like Tigger the past few days, anxiously awaiting tonight's time change.  While I'm never a fan of losing an hour of sleep, I am hugely excited about extra daylight.  In the winter, my body seems to want to sleep with the sun.  It can be only 5:30 at night, but because it's so dark, I'm ready for bed!  More daylight means longer, sunnier afternoons and that makes this girl pretty joyful!

If you were with me last spring, you'll know hubby surprised me and finally completed a long-time "honey do" request.  New window screens!  One of my favorite things about spring is opening up the windows and letting the outside in.  My radio of choice, listening to sweet melodies from happy little birds who join me in celebrating spring.

And even though spring doesn't officially arrive for well over a week, the simple act of bumping up the clocks is enough to bring a smile to my face.  That and the bee-U-ti-ful sunshine that we've blessed with the past few days.  In fact, I think I'll keep this post short so that I can bounce off here and enjoy the day!

Don't forget to move up your clocks and look forward to Spring!

I love groundhogs

I packed up my snowmen this week.  It didn't even make me sad to put them away in their tote.  In fact, as I walked inside from nearly 70 degree temperatures, I decided that it seemed silly to have smiling frozen round men decorating my kitchen.  A part of me realizes that it is still only mid-February and spring doesn't actually begin for another month.  I figure though that the birds, trees and flowers know more about spring than a date on the calendar.

The birds have been singing increasingly happy songs each day.  The small "chirp" pause "chirp" have been replaced with full melodies, which I interpret as "spring is here, it's really here, come out and fly!"  Ok, now you're probably questioning my sanity in that I'm analyzing the meaning of a bird's song so let's move on. 

This week I noticed the first peeks of green popping from my wintered flower beds.  The beds are dingy, soggy, leaf covered and in great need of my hands digging through them.  Those little green sprouts reaching from the ground are calling out to me.  I believe that dirt is therapy and can't wait to get in there and be one with the earth!

Then, this morning as I was making coffee, something from outside the window caught my eye.  Were those tiny buds on our pear trees?  I squinted, peering intensely to be sure.  Why, yes it was.  Teeny cute bright green baby buds scattered across the trees.

It can't help but put a skip in my step at all these glorious signs of spring.  Sunshine warms my soul.  A bird's song lifts my spirits.  Soft petals from a new flower bud touch my heart.  I love watching the earth slowly stretch awake from it's winter slumber.