It's still dark outside and I hear the lonely sounds of our three mourning doves. I know that they are sitting on my deck railing...with one balancing on the swaying bird feeder. I often see them on the peak of the roof across the street. Always in the same place. Now I often hear birds singing in the dark... waking up early once it is near spring. It seems that we humans waken early too....our bodies are stirring with the anticipation of getting out there and digging the soil for a new beginning for our gardens. We've been hibernating for the winter...now is the time to lift the leafy mulch out of our beds...like taking the down comforter off the bed we sleep in. We take the leaves off, ever so gently, leaving them in a pile nearby, in case of frost. Our down is lying at the bottom of our bed, to pull up if we get cold during the night. It seems that we are like plants in another way. We step out on the porch with the first taste of spring, to check the weather...do we need our favorite old gardening jacket, should we chance it and wear just a sweatshirt? The little sprouts in our gardens push up just a little to test the weather. If it's too chilly they just stay as they are, but on a beautiful warm day, like yesterday, they shoot up and take a chance. Spring has given us just a tease...one day warm then the next chilly again. We are still under the down and our tiny sprouts are nested snug in their leafy bed. When will Spring come?
Balisha
