Speeding into Spring

Today we moved into the 21st century! Frank, a local computer technician/magician, connected our computer to high-speed internet service. Already--one hour later--we're rushing from email to blog to internet search. Finally, Frances can be on the computer while I'm on the phone or vice versa. Life is good.

I know, I know. Many people left dial-up connections behind years ago. Though we may be in the forefront of trends involving health and wellness, computer technology and innovation aren't on our Top 10 list.

Soon I'll revisit and edit posts from our trip to Mexico and Central America written earlier this year. No longer constrained by dial-up lethargy the "add image" icon at the top of this blog makes me smile with anticipation.

Spring has sprung in the Northland. Then unsprung. Then resprung. Last week ended with full sun and highs in the 70s and 80s. Then new snow fell the following day; now we're back in the 40s and 50s. "Typical spring weather," we say to comfort ourselves and our neighbors.

The days inhale and exhale abundance. As green shoots find their way up through leaf-covered earth, woodpeckers and sapsuckers hammer on hollow trees outside our windows. Namaste spends long hours guarding the bird feeder; he works mightily to keep squirrels suspended in trees above his head, chattering excitedly. Later he enters the house carting along his most recent collection of ticks.

Our well-loved Eastern Phoebes returned on tax day, April 15th. Their familiar song, "phoe-be" and their characteristic tail pumping while perched on a nearby branch sent waves of tenderness circling through my heart.

Each night we carry our bird feeder into the house to prevent black bear vandalism. One afternoon last week while Frances and I sat on our deck drinking coffee we heard the loud crash of a not-too-distant tree. Namaste's finely tuned nose had pointed in that general direction for a good long while as he barked repeatedly.

We looked at each other and nodded, "Sounds like a bear." Yep, it's spring. Along with improved computer mobility comes a new lease on life. Bring it on ... greening grasses, bursting buds, energizing sunshine, revitalizing rain, and blossoming daffodils. I'll take it all.