Always here.
Looking for . . .
But, oh my. It is often . . . so dang elusive!
Especially here in Michigan.
In the spring.
When you wake up to this . . .
Yeah. That was earlier this week. Sigh.
It’s the end of April. And there is this bubble of coldness . . . just hanging over Michigan. And it appears to be sticking around for awhile longer. There is snow in the forecast (hard freezes, too) even for next week. Which is, of course . . . May.
My little greenhouse is doing its thing. But this is way more than either of us bargained for a couple of weeks ago.
But, of course, this push and pull of spring is actually . . . normal . . . around here. Spring teases. Winter responds. This is How It Is. I get frustrated with it, though, and a bit pissy. I’m ready for winter to pack up and move out. For good.
I found some hope, though – a role model for dealing with the push and pull – right in my own garden.
This little guy – and his buddy (partner?) – made it through the winter in my pond. No matter the weather, I find them sunning on the rocks whenever the sun is shining. Sometimes it’s quite cold even when the sun is shining, but there they are! Soaking in any available sunshine and warmth from the rocks.
I’m trying to be more like my frogs. . . taking advantage of the almost-spring whenever it shows up. And then taking cover when winter roars back. The frogs know that sometimes spring is like this. And, really, I know it, too. But sometimes it’s good to be reminded, y’know?
Look to the frogs.
Hope is there.
“Never yet was a springtime, when the buds forgot to bloom.”
–Margaret Elizabeth Sangster
Great photo of your frog!! I never would have thought of looking at a frog and seeing hope, but there it is! We (collective we meaning Fletch) has been planting a few things. Tall cherry tomato seedlings have been planted. Cucumbers are the the ground and climbing a trellis. Some things have not yet been put in (big tomatoes, eggplants, parsley – though that last one will be fine). Rhubarb leaves are like giant platters again and I need to cut more. BUT, we are still having some chilly weather too. Fickle Spring – just like it always is!
It seems as if I forget the push/pull of spring/winter every year. We haven’t had snow, but this week has had clouds, rain, cold, and several freezing nights, and next week looks like more of the same. I’ve got seedlings getting leggy under the grow lights but it’s too cold to put them in the ground. Thanks for finding hope with the frogs!
We’ve been on the weather roller coaster over here in the east too. Now they are predicting three days of rain which means trees/wires down, people crashing into trees/poles and each other and basically a busy night for Steve.
They are predicting 2″+ in rain. Thankfully, I live near the top of the ridge, but the center of town usually floods out pretty badly. UGH!
Maybe “they” are wrong.
I love that frog photo! Our spring is in full force right now – the mornings are chilly but the afternoons are pleasant and not too warm. The flowering trees are exploding and they are glorious to see. Yours is coming, too, and I’m sorry it’s being so fickle!
I love the frog photo! Guess what, deck tree is doing better after its pelicanectomy. It could just be timing, who knows?
Ooo a frog! We’ve had boxelder bugs, ants and a few flies. And the birds are showing up but I think they are surprised by the frozen sloughs and snow on the ground. Winter has a grip on us and isn’t happy to let it go. But on the upside…I have tulips, memorial day peony and one of the daylilies coming up through the snow. Go flowers!! And frogs!!
We’re having the same roller-coaster weather. We’ve had a series of freeze warnings this week and there was snow and graupel earlier in the week (luckily no accumulation of any kind). The local meteorologist said that our average temperature for the last two weeks of April is actually going to be lower than it was for the first two weeks! At least we know that true spring is coming!
Love that poetic quote!
I love the idea of finding hope in a frog. I’m waiting to hear the peepers – well hear about them. A friend of mine lives on an acreage and she lets me know when they start peeping. The push and pull of Spring and Winter is a great description. Knock on wood, we seem to be sliding into a solid Spring days.