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Spring Break

© Mari Brodersen

After months of working on the house and living amidst toxic fumes, I was ready to slow down and return to living a simpler life. April sped by before I knew it was here, and I was afraid I had missed my favorite season of all. I love Spring because its energies bring me peace of mind, joy, a feeling of immense gratitude, renewed energy, and an overall sense of well being. No remedy, therapy, or diet can rival Mother Nature's healing touch drifting in with the Spring breeze. I hated the idea that I might have missed the opportunity to revel in it.

In April, I thought that our Spring would be cut brutally short. April temperatures this year were higher than usual - in the high 90's, and even 100 degrees Fahrenheit one day! April is much too early for such hot weather, even in our desert climate. I thought, "I've missed Spring this year! If it's this hot in April, May will bring even hotter weather." In all truthfulness, I felt cheated.

Now May has gently arrived. Yes, gently, for the temperatures have backed down a little. Here at home, sweet acacia and yellow oleander blossoms continue to sweeten the air, and the jacaranda trees are just beginning to show off their lavender blossoms. On the desert, the saguaro cacti wear white blossom-crowns and lift armsful of blooms to the sun.

Back at home,I have taken to sitting out on the back patio in the morning, and the front patio in the evening. Beau, the kitty, accompanies me for a bit of quiet time.

BEAU ENCOUNTERS NATURE

Beau had been raised in an apartment by four college students whose landlord did not allow tenants to have animals. Until Beau came to live with us in February, he had spent very little time outside. He was fascinated by the outdoors, but a little unsure of it. He has learned, over time,the boundaries of his territory (our patios), and he enjoys sitting outside with me to contemplate the fish and birds and trees.

Two of his first encounters with nature occurred while we sat on the back patio under a young eucalyptus tree.A female hummingbird (probably a black chinned hummer)whirred right over his head and scolded him with vigorous chipping noises. When he moved, she followed him and continued her chipping and whirring for a short while. She probably has a nest somewhere in the eucalyptus, for I see her on or near its branches every morning.

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