Ahh … spring. The cries of “We need the rain” have subsided, replaced by “Look, up in the sky. It”s, don”t tell me … don”t tell me … the sun!” Mmmmm, that feeling. Anxious for the ground to dry up just a little and ready to plant my tomatoes. That”s what I”m thinking about. Enough with the rain already. I am ready for some warmth. Picking flowers for the table and wondering where I can hide Easter eggs. I”m done with the high winds and drama. I”ve had it with the news. I”m ready to step outside and take a deep breath and say “Goodbye winter, come on spring.”
Winter starts with the same “I”m good, thanks for summer, OK show me some seasons now.”
But by the end of February it”s a chorus of “Are we done yet?” I say yes, Can I get an amen? Can I see a show of hands? If you”ve had it with the cold and wet, raise your hands, put ?em up over your head and say “Bring it on!” “Let”s do this.” I am ready for crisp and clear fragrant walks through Clear Lake State Park. I want to look at the lake at its grandest and marvel at that beautiful sight winter left us.
I hunker down in winter. I contract. My spirit drops like the barometric pressure. There are those fun nights though when the power goes out and we all light candles or sitting by the wood stove rediscovering the lost art of conversation or just quiet time.
No TV. No sensory bombardment. Time slows down with out all that. I think it was better then before all the noise and imagination left town.
But before I get too nostalgic about all I do like about winter such as stews in the crock pot and hot tea and that fun hat that makes me look like an Eskimo and my hand-knit scarf that wasn”t made in China, it”s time to dust my bike off and pump up those tires and better start exercising. No more excuses. Summer”s coming. Friday evening concerts at Library Park. You just can”t beat it; I don”t care where you go. It doesn”t get any better. Sitting out 9 at night in shorts and a T-shirt, so glad I moved up from Sebastopol but want to know why I really moved?
A drive-in movie. Go find that. Families in pickups, $20 a carload. Blankets and folding chairs. Popcorn and the Big Dipper. Now that”s something.
Remembering those chilly Bay Area summer nights in my ski jacket on my deck shivering because darn it, it”s August and if not for the fog, I”d know it. Warmed by my East Coast childhood memories of boardwalks and balmy summer evenings and mason jars filled with fireflies.
Mosquitoes the size of hawks but who cared?
We watched them land on us and dared them to bite and just as their beaks touched down, we flicked them off. Oh those were the days.
Best part of spring though for me is knowing summer”s coming. Talk about nights.
Taylor Observatory. You should go. Stand there with a bunch of people you don”t know and look up at those marvelous stars and be reminded of what binds us and makes us one.
Spend a night under the Milky Way and take your place. It”s front row balcony and it”s free.
Oh, there I go. It”s hardly spring and I”m talking summer but before I get ahead of myself I want to say to one and all.
Happy springtime Lake County. See you out there. I”ll be the one with the smile on my face and spring in my step. Glad to be alive. So au revoir winter. Hello spring!
Howard Glasser
Kelseyville
