Thursday, March 11, 2010

Favorite Unofficial Holiday!

My favorite unofficial holiday is the Day Spring Shows Up around here. I have to be diligent in watching for it, which in itself is a great daily discipline. This day began with thunderstorms and, while they are definitely a sign of spring, I was disappointed that I would be stuck inside. But the sun peeked out a little while ago, so my trusty dog, Skyler, and I headed out. And I found the first blossoms of the year in my own front yard! Delightful!
Another sure sign of spring for me is seeing the migratory birds return. And today I not only saw a bunch of robins in the neighborhood, but I heard the mysterious cries of the sand hill cranes as wave after wave of them glided high overhead on their way north. I'm sure my neighbors think I'm weird, but I headed out to take pictures. I did manage to get the cranes as they disappeared over my neighbor's roof, but the robins were a little shy today.One final picture from yesterday. I went with some friends to the Chicago Flower and Garden Show. And yes, I took LOTS of pictures of flowers, but this picture represents a HUGE step of courage for me. Uh-huh, that's a real tarantula that I'm holding. Please know that I am so scared of spiders that I feel physically sick to my stomach just looking at them. But for some reason yesterday I went over to the insect petting zoo and, well the picture tells the rest. You can see from the expression on my face that I am as surprised as anyone to be holding an actual spider and not passing out from terror!
Spring is a time of new beginnings, and I wish you many wonderful new beginnings this season!
(Now that I managed to format the pictures better, I am stuck with underlining beneath the text! Sorry -- that looks a little rude. I'll keep working on it.)



3 comments:

  1. Hi Kate,

    I love your spring photos, but the one that really gets my attention is the spider. Great photo but yuk! I can't stand spiders either. I don't know how you suddenly got the courage to hold one. I'm cringing just writing about this. I don't think I would be able to do that. lol. You brave soul. Linda

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  2. Kate,
    I have your tulip picture from last year in my iPOD. I look at it often. It won't be long now. We have some crocus up, too ... and yesterday I definitely saw some buds on a tree. Spring is definitely my favorite season. Thanks for sharing your pictures and your writing. You are so gifted.
    Your slow-learning cousin, Barbie

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  3. Oh Kate, I can't believe you held that spider, what a wonderful feeling it must be "afterwards" that is to conquer one of your fears :) I am not too afraid of them, got lots in the house because we live close to Lake Ontario, and people tell me that's why we have spiders. You look really tense, but BRAVO!!!! I don't think I could have done it.

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