Groundhogs Day and the snow is dirty on the sides of the road and the piles of ice in the shopping mall lots are nasty to navigate.

On Groundhogs Day Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early Spring! Phil did not see his shadow indicative of winter being over and Spring on the way!

The warmth of the spring sun will soon appear with longer days and the end of icy roads. The spring equinox brings with it the rebirth we crave when things begin to become oppressive. With each March the weather comes in like a lion still hovering between winter and summer. The winds are cold and the rain icy and damp and just when we can’t stand it the morning sun burns bright and the warmth is powerful. The skies turn blue with clear weather clouds and it is on that day we know spring is almost here.

Winter ends as quickly as it begins. Open the door to the great outdoors and feel the warmth of the first spring breeze. Enter the yard to explore the joys of nature during the transitional season of rebirth. The fragrant scents of the season pound the sense of smell. The honeysuckle is over powering walking near the long line of shrubs with beautiful white flowers hanging waiting to be picked and tasted by pulling the pistol and its nectar from each flower. The magnificence of the magnolia trees and the pink flowers entices us to climb up into the arms of the branches as we did as kids, innocent and loving the gentle scent from the flowing petals. The buds from the dogwood will blossom into the pinks and whites of cross like structures. Small but mighty trees with the spiritual wonders of hope. Walking slowly across the yard the buds on the huge oaks are ready to burst open with the promise of a new day, a new season, another chance.

Popping out of the ground still cold from the winter ice is the crocus, first out and proud of it. Crocus is followed by the pansies, daffodils and impatience. Warm rains help to encourage the spring growth. Everything about this warmth of the spring season prepares us for the joys of planting, weeding and watering. Encourage it. The herbs come first with careful preparation of the pots. Parsley will stand up to the cool nights so it is planted first, then the mints as we almost taste them in our teas and meats. Finally the basil, which needs more sun and warm summer nights or it will not survive.

Tending to the wildflowers and roses and rhododendron shrubs balances out the gardening, some fruits… some vegetables… some herbs. Variety is the spice of gardening and the garden comes alive in the spring. Pruning the roses, digging a plot for tomatoes and eggplant, trimming the azaleas we are outside in the fresh air enjoying the nurturing rays of the sun. Mowing the lawn and smelling the fresh cut grass, walking back and forth making beautiful lines as we follow the mower is meditative, as valuable as a walking meditation which by the way is called Kinhin in zen.

Up and down back and forth forgetting the mental chatter, the problems at the office, the decisions that need to be made, just being here and now in the present. Walking thru the gardens preparing and seeding is in the now. Notice the blue jays chattering, the cardinals and scarlet tanagers brighten up the vibrant colors of nature and the little chipmunks making chirpy sounds as they run and scamper about preparing for the new life of this spring. Be well.