I’ve been whining a bit lately about how all the early pollen around here is hitting my allergies hard. It hasn’t been that cold a winter for us, so I’m not in a super rush for the heat. And if you’ve read my blog for a while, or know me, you’ll know I’m not a gardener (Actually, imagine the furthest opposite possible from a gardener—that’s me!), so I’m not waiting for my flowers to bloom or my fruit trees to…fruit.
Anyway, all this seems fairly petty and narrow-minded when so many people are up to their eaves in snow. So, in celebration of Spring and in happy anticipation of the season, here are five things I like about spring.
1. Shorts and bare feet.
2. Scotch broom. I know–Scotch broom is one of the worst contributors to my allergies. I know—it’s not a native plant and it’s taken over. I know—I supposedly don’t care about flowers blooming. But there’s something about driving up our little road, lined with all this bright yellow, that’s just seriously cheerful.
3. Warm patches in the house where sunlight has streamed through the window and heated up the floor just enough.
4. The pull to put on my running shoes and head out for a slow, gentle jog on the creek trail.
5. The occasional madly-peeping, so-tiny-as-to-be-invisible frog (toad?) going at it outside a window.
All this is coming, and-yes-it makes the itchy eyes worth it. Hang on, everybody, the snow has to melt, and the skies have to clear. And with all this Winter wet, it’s going to be some kind of Spring!
And just for a little, uplifting proof…this is our dogwood:
I know, it looks nothing like dogwoods back east, but this is what we get in California! Pretty bare, right?
Look closer. Yep, in a few weeks those buds will be little white flowers, and the rest of the branches will be covered in green leaves. Really!
Becky Levine 
I saw, like, five people in shorts yesterday. A bit premature, I’d say.
Spring has definitely starting springing. I’m keeping an eye on the wisteria in the neighborhood park. I love the transition from dead looking to drop dead gorgeous.
LikeLike
I don’t know–when I was sitting in the car in the afternoon, shorts would have been good! Today, long pants definitely.
We are getting some of those flowering-only fruit trees up here–they do burst out!
LikeLike
I was enjoying the trees in bloom yesterday and talking with my honey about the mixed feelings because of the allergens.
I love reading the Friday Five!
c
LikeLike
The Friday Five is a fun post–just think of a topic and go!
I think I’m just going to have to up my allergy meds, then I can really enjoy things. 🙂
LikeLike
Man, we aren’t even close to spring! The ground here on the island is covered with snow (though it is beginning to melt) and nothing is budding. I did see a dozen robins in my yard Thursday before the storm hit, though. Enjoy your spring. Dogwoods are beautiful.
Stella
LikeLike
Stella, well, for us Winter sort of just means LESS rain for a while. You guys have really been hit this year–I hope you get some thawing soon!
LikeLike
Love the theme of this! I may have to steal it. I love Fall and I love Spring. I guess it’s the seasons of change thing.
LikeLike
Steal away! My favorite season is Fall, but if we have a seriously heavy winter (even for us), I’m usually ready for a bit more sunshine and warmth.
LikeLike