So today I get up early and head down to one of my favorite Metro Parks to do some very aerobic hiking. It's the first official day of Spring for this year and the weather is quite comfortable. My park has really steep climbs and weaving trails up and down the hills. I was welcomed by a triple set of deer up near the park's entrance and except for a young woman with her two children, the only other beings I encountered were various species of ducks and woodpeckers.
About a month ago I noticed the Cardinals and the Robins coming out to look around. The sightings were followed by an ever increasing crescendo of bird calls as the early morning light came up over the horizon. After that, I just had to start getting use to hearing birds again all day. Woodpeckers are a nice addition I think.
The unique quirk about this particular park is the existence of a "Buzzard's Peak". On one side of the park, in the trees, you can get a glimpse of the nests and circling parents. They, of course, fly around the park, but they are most concentrated around the nests. I have another area I go to that is an Egret's nesting ground. It's just down the road from where I live. I noticed the Egrets were beginning to gather at the pond and sit in the nests. So cool!
On my way home I stopped into this Antique Shop a friend had told me about. It's in an old shoe making factory that is four floors. As I meandered around the aisles, I saw several items I will commit to memory so I can return with money and a truck! I decided to check out the "Specialty Shop" which was located in the basement area, and as I went down the stairs and turned the corner, I was instantly sent back in time to my Grandmother's attic. It was a floor of VERY antique items. I felt like I was five years old again holding Grandpa's hand and looking around for an item he and Grandma needed to find and pull out to use !
In another area of the store, I discovered a section of hand puppets and could have easily dropped the money to buy all 15 of the ones on display! Yes, I had to make myself leave but made a mental note to return. So I headed home.
Last fall I decided I was tired of not having enough flowers showing up in the Spring, so I planted some 300 bulbs, splitting them up to fit in the four flower beds I have. This week they have started to rise above the ground, and my Crocus are blooming. I'm SO HAPPY!!!! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE ALL THE BLOOMS!
I noticed two more elements of Spring I tend to forget, until the weather is warm enough, and those are:
1. A MILLION MOTORCYCLES, (Mostly Harleys), RUMBLING, and TEARING UP THE HIGHWAYS
2. The HUNDREDS of LITTLE DOGS being brought out into the yards, many of which, can't stop yapping, EVER! (until they go back inside and you get a reprieve) *phew*
Welcome to Spring in the neighborhood !
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