As soon as the new year begins, I start to think about spring and especially about Santa Monica. I accompany my husband to a trade show there every April, which gives me an excuse throughout the winter to shop for new clothes "for Santa Monica." But right here at home I anticipate certain signs of spring that mean as much to me as the annual California trip--like when the red bud trees sprinkled through the woods around the house light up the scenery with misty touches of pink. I also marvel at birds' nests. In the spring I love to see birds flying around with sticks and leaf stems and pieces of plastic in their beaks. How many trips does it take from the nest to the lawn or patio or woods to create a cozy nest? I took this picture last spring, of an amazing nest inside one of the many O's in the sign for DOWNTOWN BOOK & TOY in Jefferson City. My office is in the same building so I got to see these babies from egg to gone. They made quite a racket. I'd see them sitting on the edge of the nest, a little wobbly, before they took off one day.Above all, when spring's on the way I listen for the tree frogs. That could be my favorite sound in the universe. Last week my son Max told me he heard the tree frogs around See Tal Lake in Hermann, Missouri. It's a little early, but maybe he did. He's tuned in to it, I suppose, because I always made a big deal out of it. But I hope he considers the joyous sounds of these tiny frogs one of the songs of his childhood.
2 comments:
Those spring peepers (tiny frogs) generally do get started this time of year. They have the ability to peep when its warm and chill out when its cold. You should believe whatever Max tells you.
Don't forget spring means the busiest time of year to a gardener. Starting plants from seed, digging, tilling, planting. Got to get the Ph right around the new blueberry plants, make sure the cherry trees go in well-drained soil, rotate so the tomato plants don't go in the same spot as last year, find sunny locales for the sunflowers and prep the new asparagus bed. Also got to keep an eye on the plants I'm starting from seed indoors; already lost a few cabbage plants when the center of the planting tray dried up faster than the edges (still have over a hundred healthy cabbage plants, so not a major loss, but it did remind me to check more frequently about watering). Also have five different tomatoes sprouting; planted five more varieties yesterday, along with four kinds of hot and sweet peppers. And in about one week, weather cooperating, potatoes and onions will go in the ground, along with seed for leaf lettuce and spinach. Not too long after go in beats, carrots, the afore-mentioned cabbage, broccoli and head lettuce. Peas are right there too. And while a tree frog may produce your "favorite sound in th universe," a neat garden filled with growing rows of veggies, fruits and flowers may be the favorite sight, if not the tastiest, in all of spring.
And one final appeal, to whomever is in charge: Please! More bees! We need them to pollonate and populate. Otherwise, fruit trees, melons and squash will suffer the consequences.
So, International Pam,with a hoe in your hand, carving long, straight rows from the soil; the tree frogs will be there to serenade you in your labor of love.
How comfortimg must that be,
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