March 12: The Smell of Spring

This past week we have been blessed with warmer weather, in the 50s and even reaching into the 60s, and it is absolutely delightful. We were able to open the windows, we can let the cats out now to play (with bells on so they don't kill birds), we've let the ducks and chickens out for some free ranging time, and I no longer need to wear several layers to feel warm. The days are getting longer, the sun is getting brighter, and my mood is definitely lifting. But having the windows open is one of the best parts, to allow some fresh air into our house. And this week, I experienced that first moment of the smell of spring. 

I have a distinct memory of this smell from when I was a teenager. I worked for the Beloit Daily News delivering newspapers, and there was this one day in early spring when snow was still on the ground but it was super warm out, and I swear the air smelled of marshmallows. That's the smell I experienced this week. I have no idea what produces this smell or why it smells like marshmallows to me, but I immediately know it when I smell it, and it is absolutely delightful. It smells of warmth in the air, sun in the sky, melting snow, and the hope for better days. It smells of rebirth and newness and the return of birds and buds. 

My favorite season always used to be fall, not only because that's when my birthday is, but also because the weather is cold enough for boots and tights but warm enough to not need a jacket. But fall leads to winter, which is my least favorite season (even though I am determined to appreciate it more for the death it brings to bugs and the reprieve it gives from extreme heat). 

Spring, when there is a delightful spring, is probably my second favorite season, and instead of leading to winter, it leads to summer. But there are two big problems with spring- it is mostly a rainy season and many years it is not even warm and sunny, just cold and dreary. Some years there is a barely a week of gorgeous spring weather; often our weather goes from cold to hot, from winter to summer, over night. The worst years are when winter seems to drag into June and then all of a sudden it's 100 degrees, with no transition period at all. My senior year of college was perhaps the best spring I ever experienced. It was warm and sunny and delightful for many many weeks, resulting in lots of outdoor events, barbecues, music festivals, etc etc.

Maybe this spring will be delightful, too. Hopefully it will allow for some outdoor gatherings amidst the quarantine, or at least for more time with the windows open to air things out. I definitely plan to be outdoors more, taking walks and hanging out with my animals (the ducks and chickens are absolutely delightful to watch. They each have their own very distinct personalities and it's fun to see them scavenging for bugs and digging in our compost pile for tidbits of goodness.)

With delight,

♥Jamie