Mar 17, 2014

And Just Like That...The Waiting is Over

The funny thing about a long winter is, just when you are settling in to the idea of it being long, and keeping the pile of scarves, boots and mittens stacked up by the door, and ensuring the hot chocolate stash never declines too much without re-stocking it, the weather does a strange twirl and winds blow warm air into The Valley and the snow disappears as though it were never covering every spot of earth.


I've grown fond of hibernation this year. I've found peace with bulky jackets and boots and extra blankets on the bed and using herb-infused oil on my winter-weary skin instead of lotion. More than once, I have happily sat down to read, and drifted off into daydreams instead. I've watched too much British television and taken too many naps (is there such a thing as too many naps?)  And I have been rediscovering yoga and Pilates these last six weeks, which has been blissful (and painful.)

My spiritual practice has been slow and deliberate, and I'm now working with only two altars instead of five. Everything important is housed either at the large working space or in one smaller space that seems to have become the place for daily devotions. And the spirits have been chatty.

And so it only seems natural, that as I finally settle into the idea of an extra-long winter, the earth begins to stir and stretch and yawn. The temps skyrocketed this week from a biting cold to a warmth that had me peeling layers off while I was raking over the raised garden beds.  I planted three kinds of lettuce and two varieties of peas. Poking around the flower and herb gardens I noted chives, chickweed, yarrow, lady's mantle, and the exasperating rhubarb all showing signs of new life.

And just like that, the waiting is over.  Even if the frost lingers in the mornings or the rains are thick and snow-like, the tide has turned toward spring. There is no going back now. Today the sunrise and sunset are exactly one minute apart.* It is as close to a Vernal Equinox as we will get. According to the local report the sunset tomorrow will be three minutes later than today - three whole minutes more of light to revel in. Not too shabby after a long, dark winter.

To those who woke to snow this morning - you have my sympathy, and the hope that spring will find you soon as well. It won't be long now.




*And, by "one minute apart" I mean that sunrise was at 7:07am and sunset was at 7:06pm. Although a one-minute day would be something. Perhaps Mondays could be one-minute days?

11 comments:

Magaly Guerrero said...

"Today the sunrise and sunset are exactly one minute apart."

That line sounds like a miracle I want to see and delight in. I'm ready for spring, but must wait a bit longer. Until then, I shall delight in your light. ;-)

Rue said...

Ha! Of course a writer would spot that! It would be something to see though, would it?

Wulf said...

We're still waiting in Ontario, but it feels very close now!

A Garden of Threads said...

Still waiting in here, freezing rain for tonight. But I do feel the earth stirring, the birds are singing their mating calls and the sunshine is warm. Rejoice with your spring. Jen

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

you make the winter sound attractive and snuggly. Ours was run by a trickster this year. Old Man Winter was way too busy further east to mess with us so he let one of his underlings mess with our lives instead. Warm, then bone cold, then cool with nasty winds and then a spring day in February with snow the next week. Today it's sunny but a sharp nip to the wind. We needed some of the moisture that plagued the east. Oh well, the trickster is just about to get his butt kicked by her majesty the reigning Ms. Spring. And I can hardly wait. xoxo Oma Linda
naps are a must btw

Leanne said...

grown fond of hibernation - I need to change my attitude towards winter. I wonder If I will grow fond of hibernating? It's just I love to be outdoors as much as I can. BUT I'm happy to share some sunshine with you all over there. Love Leanne

Anonymous said...

Can you send some of that Spring-ness this way? We're still waiting in Connecticut. It feels like a miracle that most of the snow is gone around me but the air does not realize what is happening.

-Soli

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

Ugh. We are still under 8 foot high snowbanks here in Winnipeg. Please send spring our way!

The Country Witch said...

"I've grown fond of hibernation this year. I've found peace with bulky jackets and boots and extra blankets on the bed and using herb-infused oil on my winter-weary skin instead of lotion. More than once, I have happily sat down to read, and drifted off into daydreams instead. I've watched too much British television and taken too many naps"

I am looking forward to this as we move through Autumn and head to winter in my hemisphere.

HappyCrone said...

happy Spring Dearheart! I am no longer able to be on fb during the day, soooooo here I am!
Cate aka HappyCrone

Debra Nehring said...

Ahh, so missing the spring in the Valley! I come from there, and have lived in the far north(Yukon) for 16 years.
The ability to plant and rake and delight in the garden is so precious. Enjoy Spring as she moves into every crack and crevice! I'm waiting!