For those who may not know, we don’t really have a spring season in Colorado. As a friend of mine said, what we have is “winter wrestling with summer.” Eventually summer wins, but not without a struggle.
In March I begin to see Facebook posts from friends on the East Coast or in the South showcasing their crocuses, tulips and daffodils bursting with color. Soon the photos are of azaleas, dogwoods and redbuds in full bloom. Should I look up from their photos to gaze out my window, however, I’m more likely to see snow falling—not apple blossom petals, but real snow!
I try to be a good sport, and I’ve certainly been here long enough to know what to expect. The survival rules include not switching your closet over to lighter weight clothes too soon, or holding back a couple of turtleneck sweaters and some heavy jeans if you do. And never taking your coat to the cleaners. You’re just asking for a blizzard if you do that! So we wash the flannel sheets but put them back on the bed. We keep the snow boots in the front closet. We tell ourselves “we need the moisture.” And we wait.
Long ago my husband decided it was best to send me off to a location with real spring rather than to watch my stiff upper lip quivering for two months, and for that I’m grateful. This year my friend Kathy and I took a long road trip to Texas—emphasis on long. Wearily stepping out of the car in Waco, I immediately noticed the rejuvenating smell of green.
The next day we visited Magnolia Market. There and all over town the magnolia trees were in full bloom and the gardens were spectacular. After passing brown fields one after the other in Colorado and New Mexico, we were breathing in spring! Our next stop was to visit our friend Jimmie in Tyler, the rose capital of Texas. She took us to a wonderful rose garden, and we enjoyed seeing everything blooming in her yard and sat by her pool. All together it was the perfect cure for our winter blues.
Of course there are good things about our non-spring, too. If kids on spring break aren’t heading off to Florida or Arizona with their parents they may go skiing. Spring skiing is something to be experienced at least once in life. It’s not uncommon to see girls skiing in bikini tops or shirtless young men in shorts. This time of year at high altitude the sun is warm and the snow is slushy but cold. As skiers near the bottom of the slope the aroma of brats and hamburgers on an outdoor grill wafts up to meet them. Ahh! Not bad at all.
And the spring snow is pretty. During one April snowstorm this year a bright yellow goldfinch paid us a visit just to say, “Don’t worry. Warmer weather is on the way!” Already I see signs that summer may soon have winter on the mat. Our grass is finally starting to green up and the little crabapple tree in our front yard is in its God-given glory. Maybe it is May at last.
Loved the visit❤️❤️
Jimmie
And we loved taking advantage of your warm state and wonderful hospitality!
Good points, Nancy. Somehow Chataqua Park, at 5700 feet, had flowers blooming on St. Patrick’s Day!
Wow! That’s a mystery. Must have been some hearty blossoms.
How lovely, Nancy, that you had such a wonderful “getaway” with your friend to Texas!
I was feeling rather discouraged that spring would never make its entrance untill we got over three inches of rain last week in about 36 hours; suddenly, everything has really greened up, the crabapples in our neighborhood, have come into full bloom and our lilacs are now sporting green leaves and purple buds. However, our poor forsythia only had 4 blooms, due to a late freeze, and now green leaves are appearing. Our covered back porch has a pair of sparrows, busily at work constructing their nest in the top of our light fixture, so spring has finally arrived! Such a “spirit lifter” at 6,400 ft. altitude!
I agree, Louise! Our crabapple bloomed for Mother’s Day so I think it’s official–we survived another winter. I’m hoping all the rain not only helps with drought but produces a plethora of wildflowers!
NC is a long state, east to west. I now live in the mountains, but for over 30 years i lived in the middle of the state where spring comes more quickly, usually not later than April 15th. Many years ago, in preparation for my mom’s visit, I planted my saved-over-the-winter flowers during the first week of May. Mom would need the table of their winter residence for her crochet and embroidery stuff. So, guess what! A freeze killed all those flowers. But that was okay because she–with her ten green thumbs–renewed the beauty of my flowerbeds.
How sweet to have memories of your mother connected to flowers, Peggy. You can think of her whenever you walk through a garden.
And I do!
Another wonderful read with my morning coffee on this cloudy 48 degree morning following some wonderful overnight rain storms. But I’m not complaining!
Thanks, Gay Hope. Nope. No complaining. We’ve learned it doesn’t help, right? Glad spring/summer is starting to appear! Two hummingbirds so far.
Brought back memories of July Fourth-on-the- gazebo promises snuffed out by snow when I lived in Monument,CO.
Oh, I’m sure, Alice! I remember darling little granddaughters hunting Easter eggs in the snow, too. Good thing we learned to be flexible.