The year is moving on toward mid-summer. The ducks that flew away last fall returned this past spring as regular as a clock. Fascinating thing, this business of instincts. With people, in many things it drives our lives, rather than the careful thought we imagine. Our ducks arrive because something drives them to leave their winter quarters and come north. Once here they attend to business. Pairing off, they assume the roles of drake and female. In due time their eggs become baby ducklings. Those who survive the onslaught of crows grow rapidly towards adulthood. Continue reading
Tag Archives: spring
The Conundrum of Spring
A Vignette of Spring Flowers and Warm Breezes
Winters are not severe here in Vancouver, but the season is obvious: cool, lots of rain, and more dull days than anyone wants. Sunny days are greeted with joy, and people pour out to enjoy walks. My walking partner says wistfully, “How I wish this break was really the beginning of spring, but it’s much too early. We won’t see spring for another month.”
Her estimation makes sense. She hit the average time the warm weather arrives here–but not this year. To our surprise and pleasure, mixed with feelings of confusion, spring really is beginning. Continue reading
Filed under This & That
The Memories Life Triggers
Sunday morning. I’m on my way to church on a warm, sunny, spring day. David, the owner/driver of the “Driving Miss Daisy” service, and I have been chatting. We come to 16th Avenue, and turn onto it. My sentence ends mid-stream and I gasp in wonder. Ahead stretch blocks of cherry trees in full blossom. Last week there was only an occasional flower. People were saying then, “This is far too early for spring. If it turns cool again the trees will be damaged!”
These comments run through my mind as we drive past tree after tree, all dressed in their spring best. Apparently nature has its own schedule and doesn’t consult the weather forecast! My spirits soar. Joy and happiness fill my heart. I shake my head and say, “I’m new to Vancouver, David. Perhaps one day I will take all of Vancouver’s beauty for granted, but I’m not there yet.”
“Better than the prairies, in your opinion?” Continue reading
Filed under This & That
Spring For a Prairie Child
The sun’s rays are pouring down. Warm breezes blow against my face, tossing my hair into my eyes. I run down to the east corner of the house, and look out across the prairies.
The winter has been long, the snow piled high. None left now, well, almost none. A few traces remain under the dense lilac bush which guards that house corner. Spring is here, it really is. A meadowlark sits on a fence post singing its heart out. The smells, the sounds, the sights – I am so happy. Continue reading
Filed under Poetry, Prairie Childhood