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Ah, Spring and all her glory.


I'm enjoying the spring weather that has finally arrived in Ohio bringing blooming pear trees, red buds and tulip trees. How about you? Do you love spring as much as I do?
I spent a day on the patio, putting out the table, chairs, umbrella. I painted a white wicker plant table and have decided it's too good for the patio. I plan to use it in the bathroom instead.
Just when I thought winter would last forever, spring arrived with temperatures in the 70's. I noted buds covering my rose bush and a robin building a nest in the crevice of my chimney. I wanted to let them stay but they managed to leave so much debris at my front door that I had no choice but to shoo them away. Hopefully they've moved on to one of the many trees and bushes in my community, a more cozy place for raising babies.
When I was a kid growing up in Putnam County, WV, I was outside at the first glimpse of the sun coming through my bedroom window. I ran through our yard, down through the orchard where we had six or eight apple trees in a row, picking up green apples to eat on the way. I'd play in the creek, which mother said was too dirty to touch, but I didn't agree. The water was clear as glass. It ran quickly over my feet standing on the rocks under the water. I'd check on Nellie my black and white pig in her pen nearby. I remember one time straddling her for a photo. She was quite large and I looked small on her back. 
I'd sometimes walk up the steep hill behind our house to the cemetery where I'd read the names on nearby stones and wonder what happened to cause the demise of  Harriet Bailey or Baby Allison or Pop Asbury. I daydreamed sitting on the ground among the tombstones with the scent of honeysuckle drifting around me.
I miss the days of helping mother spring clean. Mostly I complained at having to wash the baseboards because I'd encounter a spider or two and lots of dust - from months without doors or windows open.
Mother took spring cleaning to heart. She took beds apart and we had to clean the bed frames and slats. A senseless chore, it seemed to me, and one I never do.
I miss those leisure days of summer that stretched out before me as unfettered and carefree as the butterflies that pass through my flower garden. 
As I ponder the days ahead, I plan to spend more time in the great outdoors, soaking up sunshine - it's the best medicine in the world. 
Perhaps I'll even venture back to that little creek and the hillside cemetery and visit my old friends.

What do you like best about spring and summer?
Or do you live in a climate that is warm year round? I welcome your comments. 
Have a great spring whatever weather you are experiencing. We can always find something to like about each season.




Comments

  1. Your spring thoughts bring on memories, Barb. I am loving this particular spring so much, perhaps because March was so gloomy and rainy and windy. By the time the temps rose and the sun came out, I was ready for change. Thank you so much for the memory-provoking post.

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    1. I'm loving this spring more than usual too, Sher. Not sure why. Maybe it is that March seemed harsher than usual. We need to walk in green grass together! Hugs.

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  2. What I like best about spring/summer is outdoor grilling. I'm a purist at heart when it comes to the grill. It's got to be a charcoal fire started with a charcoal chimney. I like pulling out my old Weber Kettle which I've had for more than twenty years. It doesn't have a speck of rust. My favorite grill is thick, juicy pork chops. My second favorite is the good ol' hamburger with cheddar cheese, tomato, and carmelized onions. And a side of homemade potato salad with lots of hard boiled eggs goes great with both the chops and burger. Yum!

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    1. I love meals on the grill too Pam. My son in law Jon makes the best pork chops on there. I've never made them on the grill. Usually hamburgers and steak. I'm not much of a meat eater anymore. You've made me want to cook out now and I don't have a grill! Love your comments.

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  3. I enjoyed your post, Barb. Made me think of the days when I was young and loved going to the creek to play and daydream. I grew up out in the "sticks" as the old folks used to say and I wouldn't change it for a thing. I do miss those days when people lived simpler lives, worked hard, and spent time gathered around the table together for evening meals. Thanks for the memories!

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    1. I suspect we all of a certain age remember a simpler time of living in the country and enjoy that fresh air and sunshine. Was the sky much bluer back then and living so much better. Or have our memories colored our thoughts with milk and honey of when we were kids? Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. I love these memories! I too have such fond memories of spring and summer at home. Nothing is better than playing outside for the first time that year and opening up the windows after winter. I miss evenings just sitting out on the porch swings with mom and dad watching the sunset. It's truly the best time of year! Love you!!

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    1. Ah sweet Jillian. I'm happy you were born in the country where you could enjoy the outdoors, your dad's garden, and your mom's wonderful food. I savored those hay rides in the fall at your house with a gang of relatives. We always left with fall decorations including fat orange pumpkins. Also we went away stuffed with good grilled foods. I'm thrilled that you love books and writing as much as I. (Forgot to mention your dad's fish fries. Oh yum. Hugs to you my sweet granddaughter.

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  5. First, what a gorgeous picture of you! This was lovely to read. Spring fluttered around me from your post. When I opened my door this morning to let the dog in, I was blasted by the sound of birdsong coming from the still-dark morning. It's surprises like that that I love most about spring.

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    1. Me too, Deb. AND when it finally breaks through the darkness of winter we appreciate it so much more. I can't imagine living in a place where there are no season changes. I love the changes. I always feel as though I've turned over a new leaf or it's a new beginning that we're given. Hugs.

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  6. I like the fresh shoots of flowers and the light green of new leaves. Believe it or not, even in Central Florida many trees lose their leaves––and our laurel oaks' leaves get old and worn looking. It's a joy to see them pushed out by new growth and fresh leaves. Flowers that shriveled on a cold night also turn green and grow again. Not as dramatic as up north, but still a pleasant change.

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    1. I'm happy to hear you do have some seasonal changes in FL. The state has its own beauty with the sunshine, sunsets, blue skies, palm trees blowing in the ocean's breeze. In my mind's eye, that's the picture I have from when we first moved to Sun City Center. Enjoy the nice weather you have before the heat hits. Thanks for stopping by.

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  7. lovely photo. :) i enjoy spring here in texas, but it passes far too quickly and heads into a long, hot summer. :)

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    1. Somehow our Ohio weather has been following the same pattern. Spring fades too quickly and then we have heat in the nineties. Not the summers we had thirty years ago. Oh well I'm getting old. I'm learning to take what we get! Thanks for stopping by.

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  8. Mother was the same. We had to watch every thing and take things out in the sun to air. Mattresses and rugs were beaten with brooms until Mother thought they were clean enough. I avoid that type of cleaning with a vengeance.

    Enjoy spring.

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    1. Yep Gail I remember all of that. Mother was a far better spring cleaner than I but then we have so many conveniences that I clean more weekly than she ever did.

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  9. I love your post about spring. Spring for me feels like hope and looks like beauty until nature tries to kill me in tthe yard. 😝😳

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    1. I try to stay out of the yard. I'm not an outdoor worker. I love outdoors but I want to be in a chair under a tree with book and iced tea in hand!

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