SPRING, SORTA…

Spring is here! At least officially, as an astronomical moment according to calendar and almanac. When it will actually arrive as a season, weatherwise, is another matter entirely, given how THE WINTER WHICH REFUSES TO LEAVE is still having its way with some parts of the country. 

Here along the river, we've had snow within the last week. We've also been treated to rain, wind, clouds, and a sunny day that made it into the upper-60˚s F. I'm still keeping a fire in the woodstove more often than not.

To look outside right now you'd sure think it was spring. The sun is shining bright, gleaming off the white-barked sycamores; the sky is oceanic blue with only a few puffy white clouds like scattered cotton balls. But those vernal looks are deceiving…in fact it's only a degree or so above freezing with a rather cutting wind. Spring-like in appearance only. 

On the positive side, several small clumps of orange crocus are in bloom along the south-facing side of the cottage. At least they've poked up above the soil, though their petals still remain tightly wrapped like tiny umbrellas. But I have no doubt they'll unfurl their blooms later today once the sun warms things up a tad. 

One of these patches actually began blooming a couple of days ago—my first yard flowers of the year. I have lots of other crocus planted around the cottage, in a variety of hues—purple, lavender, white, yellow—but the orange ones always lead the pack when it comes to showing welcome color. 

Up the road, deep yellow winter aconites are beginning to carpet a certain woodsy glade amid a few patches of lingering snow. They, too, have been blooming—a few, anyway—for about a week. Aconites come early and are one of my favorite harbingers. 

Leaf buds on my lilacs are swelling, though they're certainly not nearly as advanced in development as they were this time last year. But then, no two years are ever truly alike.

Seasons set their own reality, following their own agenda, coming and going by their own timeline. Nevertheless, spring is definitely on the way…or definitely here, if you prefer the encouraging sanction of today's decree.