FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR

I have a friend who HATES spring!! I am using the term "friend" loosely here because how can you possibly hate spring? Everything is turning green, the birds are building nests, flowers are blooming, the days are warm and the nights are cool. Okay that has only been true about the weather 2 times since spring started but still. SHE hates it because she hates to do yard work. I think it is rather discriminatory to hate a season because of a chore that just happens to coincide with it. I think she needs a "lawn boy". Preferably one that is young, cute and works with his shirt off. I have a lawn boy. His name is George and he is NOT ALLOWED to work with his shirt off. We do have neighbors you know. I have always loved spring. As a child, I saw it as a prelude to summer and daylight lasting longer which meant more time outside. As a young teen, it meant shorts, tank tops, and flip flops. As a young adult, it meant YARD WORK, which I just happen to love. My mom, who spent most of her young life as a tenant farmer, always said that there was something uplifting about "getting your hands in the soil." Even when we were young, mom tried to "keep" the yard and we would help. I can see her standing on the sidewalk barefoot with the hose in hand, watering the grass in the cool of the evening. I can remember how we would sleep with the windows open and the wind would blow across the wet grass creating a gentle cooling breeze. My grandmother, who didn't even have indoor plumbing for years, always had a beautiful yard and of course a garden. My mom, who had spent many years growing food, planted flowers instead. And then she became interested in trees, so that there would be shade for "future generations." Her words exactly. I mean, I couldn't make that up. And as such, I have always loved working out in the yard. I love being out there with the family, stopping occasionally to sit in the shade and cool off with a glass of tea and then get back to the task at hand. And of course, "yard work" day usually means George is grilling something. As I got older, I, too, started planting flowers and even feeding the birds. It just changes the whole atmosphere of your home to have a pretty yard. And one that you and YOURS have accomplished. Even the "homeliest" house looks prettier with a nice yard, trees, and flowers. And it is so simple. A little water, a little time, and a nice trim once a week. God pretty much does the rest. So, here's to spring..........a beautiful time. A time of rebirth and regeneration. My FAVORITE time of year