“Children hold spring so tightly in their brown fists—
just as grownups, who are less sure of it,
hold it in their hearts.”
—E. B. White
—E. B. White
It’s finicky May when everyone is thinking of sunshine, spring, sowing
seeds, and watching things grow. Despite the persnickety weather which plays
hide and seek, revealing itself with a rainy, cold, or warm countenance, May is
one of my favorite times of the year as the earth bursts forth with its many
colors of green.
Traveling north from Texas to Pennsylvania over the last few days, I
was able to see spring in reverse through
the car’s windows as we flew by the rural countryside of seven states.
When we departed from Texas, the landscape was dressed in lush dark
green colors. Mature leaves on the trees fluttered in the breeze. Roses
bloomed, emitting sweet, fragrant scents, and verdant lawns gave off the old
familiar smell of newly mown grass. The state is approaching early summer with
temperatures soaring as the days fly by.
Oklahoma, “where the wind comes sweeping down the plains,” boasted meadows
with Herefords and Angus grazing knee-high in the
In Indiana and Ohio, farmers on disc harrows kicked up dust as they
tilled the earth in readiness for planting, still leery, still on the lookout
for ol’ Jack Frost.
As we finally crossed Pennsylvania, we saw a whole palette of green
shades—from the early lime green of new growth on the bushes, birch, and willow
trees along Route 80 to the rich, dark emerald of fully emerged leaves on
maples and fruit trees.
And somewhere deep inside of me, as I watched springtime arrive backwards, the
farmer in me begged to be set free. I’m itching to check out the lawn and
garden centers, nab a few favorite annual flowers, maybe a few tomato plants, and
play in the sunshine and soil for a few hours.
Yes, it's finicky May!
