While it's officially been spring since
mid March, it's finally starting to feel
like it here in central Montana. There's
no doubt that we lag behind most thus
Lewistown is most definitely NOT an
early bloomer. However slowly but
surely the trees are budding and the
posies are popping. Which means that
Frank spends his days in the garden.
And while it's tempting to plant some
seedlings, the odds are still against us.
After all it snowed a few days ago.
So patience is still very much in order.
In truth we got off rather easy this winter.
While quite long, it was fairly temperate.
We Montanans are more than grateful for
whatever caused this hot flash whether
Il Nino or global warming. Experiencing
such phenomena, one can easily drift into
a state of delusion - doing crazy things
like planting wisteria. However given
history repeats itself, there's no doubt
that next winter we could descend into
a deep freeze obliterating even the most
hardiest of species. And so, Montanans
gather ye rosebuds while we may.
If I miss anything, it's springtime back
east. That long, languorous, extended
period of blooming quince, dogwood,
forsythia, magnolias, hyacinth, and
tulips. For months it seems that Mother
Nature shakes off her winter doldrums
with a glorious splash of color. Here in
Montana, much like our local ladies, her
approach is much simpler and practical.
One has to search for bits of happiness
amidst our vast wide open spaces. And
when one happens to discover a random
blossom it's all the more special.
Given spring is all about renewal, it's
an opportunity for all to start afresh.
And if nothing else, a time to look at
our lives from a different perspective.
Here in central Montana, winter is a
period of self reflection mixed with
isolation. During our "stay in place"
hiatus, we're all itching to get out of
the house. Yet chances are this spring
and summer will be different. Things
may be warming up but we still must
keep our distance. Could the coming
months truly be a growth experience?
