Spring Is On Its Way
When I was in kindergarten (many years ago when the woolly mammoth still roamed the earth) our teacher maintained a bulletin board dedicated to the seasons and the class decided what went on display.
The slow wintry months were represented by lacy snowflakes, colourful mittens and steaming mugs of hot chocolate cut from magazines. But as roof icicles finally began to drip and shorten and robins suddenly appeared with their characteristic hop-hop-hop we looked forward to the pictures being exchanged in favour of daffodils and cartoon raindrops.
Of course, as busy adults, many of us will scarcely notice these changes aside from having to swap out winter clothes one day. But perhaps we’re cheating ourselves by not paying closer attention. After all, those first weak rays of sunshine offer hope. Spring is, quite literally, the warm-up act for summertime. There’s a real sense of fresh possibility after months of bleakness, chapped lips and cumbersome boots that leave ghostly chevrons of salt in the hallway.
I say it’s time to start a new board! Don’t worry. In no way am I suggesting that we sit in a circle with safety scissors, hunting for images of baby lambs and tulips, but the concept of noticing seasonal changes (things that offer fresh cheer and cost nothing) remains the same. Neuroscience backs this up, friends — our brains simply enjoy the novelty of having something different to look forward to!
Here’s a few of my favourites to get you going:
The warmer days and chilly nights of spring lead to the running of sap and the promise of maple syrup. Pancakes and sausage aside, there’s something exciting about the purity of this treat and especially since it’s been around for thousands of years. The Indigenous people originally discovered — and graciously shared — not only how to obtain a maple tree’s “sweet water” but how it could be used to cure and preserve meats as well as being boiled down into syrup. Who doesn’t recognise those fudgy, leaf-shaped treats that crumble in the mouth so softly? (And that subsequent rush of maple-sugar glee soon afterwards!)
As soon as the weather begins to warm, the festive notion of Patio Time will present itself; indeed, there’s nothing more Canadian than seeing people sitting outside, surrounded by short grey castles of snow and holding a coffee in mittened hands. People smile a conspiratorial smile as they pass, as if to say “We made it!” There’s both defiance and humour in this simple act — and even more so if they happen to be holding an icy beer!
I once read that having a garden or even a tiny outdoor space is the equivalent of having another room in your house. For many people, their interior design skills adapt well to the open air, since both texture and contrast of plants come into play. For those who also wish to support nature (and enjoy some inspiring, early-bird research at a sunny garden center) why not plan for flowers which benefit pollinators too? Adding more local flora provides food for bees — and not just honeybees — since our vital native bees fail to thrive without the right food sources. With a bit of forethought, it’s easy to achieve beautiful aesthetics and be virtuous to the environment at the same time. Seeing that first bumblebee weaving uncertainly around the garden is so touching and I’m happy to have a salad bar ready for him if I can.
For me, the simplest way to enjoy the first tastes of spring is to walk. Even a quick stroll during a lunch break is enough to revive and offer cheer. As soon as the earth starts to smell moist and sweet again, babies seem to be everywhere: chubby, surprised faces in strollers are suddenly being propelled by happy-to-be-out parents. Toddlers, still in snowpants, may move as though they’re walking in armour but stop frequently to examine a turquoise shard of robin’s egg or a nodding snowdrop appearing from a crack.
Animals too seem to know when winter has been chased away and I look forward to spotting beavers swimming with a mouthful of twigs as they press against the cold current of the river, perhaps intent on adding to that room of their own. And even though you may have hardened your heart against neighbourhood rabbits, who can deny the sweetness of discovering a nest with tiny silken bunnies tucked beneath a layer of knitted leaves?
Maybe it’s tempting to ridicule optimism these days because the world can feel dark and anything but settled right now. But conversely, showing appreciation for everyday things can be a springboard for elevating one’s mood altogether.
Pun absolutely intended.
