Is It Spring Yet?

For over a week now, the weatherman has been saying that on March 20th, at 12:57 p.m. Spring will officially arrive.

It's hard to believe when parts of the country are getting bogged down with even more snow. The mid-Atlantic states got more and had to close schools and government offices. Southern New England might be getting away with only flurries and showers while Northern New England continues to get dumped on.  You might get a sunny day and hang out the wash, only to have it freeze stiff enough to stand alone. Old Man Winter has yet to understand that he's no longer welcome in a world that longs for warmer temperatures. The west coast might not see snow, but their drought has been so severe that any amount of rain has caused flooding and mudslides. No matter where you live, you have to be suffering from cabin fever.

In the last month I've seen small flocks of geese heading south. When they start coming back, you know it'll be getting warmer. Another sign is when you see people dressed in short-sleeve shirts (no jacket of any kind) shorts and flip-flops. Maybe it's their way of enticing warmer weather to move in and stay a while.

There are three trees just below my window, in a corner of the courtyard. In the eight years I've been living here I've never seen any birds take over the single nest that sits in the middle tree--until this week. Monday morning, I heard a mourning dove and looked outside hoping I could spot it. It was in the tree checking out the nest. A chickadee had checked it out earlier, but I guess it rejected the space. All morning the dove was comfortable in the nest and cooing. I figured it was either trying to entice a mate or was letting its mate know where to find it. By afternoon it was gone so I figured it, too, eventually rejected the nest. After all it was in some need of repair.

Yesterday morning the dove was back, performing the same routine as the day before, then left again for the day. I thought today would be more of the same but when the dove returned, it brought its mate along. They've been here all morning, flying off to get some building materials for the nest. Although it has a sturdy seat on a branch, there are holes in the bottom where you can see through to the ground. There are a few twigs woven across the hole but not enough to fill it in. I'd hate to see an egg or two fall through and end up splat on the grass below. The doves have decimated one side of the nest, apparently in an effort to remodel it before they call it home. They're taking their time about it but then it's not all that warm yet to be laying eggs. Maybe in another week or so. By then, the trees' blossom buds should be getting fat and ready to burst. When that happens it won't be as easy to see the nest as it is now.

Little experiences like this are new for me and give me something to write about, to add a bit of a personal touch to fiction. It renews my ability to see things fresh and rejuvenate my creativity.

So... Is it Spring yet? According to the calendar, just about. According to the weather, maybe not quite yet. According to me? It's the beginning and something to look forward to. For this part of the country, the season doesn't last long and before I know it, it'll be summer. I'm going to enjoy it for however long it lasts because when it's gone and the hot temps arrive I'll be wishing winter was just leaving and Spring was on the way.