Spring is Here

Spring is Here!

What a difference six weeks make. In mid February, we were buried in snow, feeling gloomy and depressed, wondering if there will ever be an end to the miserable weather. Six weeks later, here we are, in beautiful sunny weather and perfect temperature, with birds all around us, not just on the bird feeder. I don’t know if their songs are just happy songs of spring or mating calls, but the sound of these birds does bring a feeling of joy. Sometimes, I step outside to see if I can identify the bird that is singing a particular tune, but they rarely linger in one spot. I hung Kaya’s birdhouse on the cherry tree next to the kitchen window, but no bird has shown any interest in building a nest in it yet. Gray, leafless tree branches are beginning to show signs of life, and will surely be full of new green leaves before long. The weeping cherry tree in front of the porch is in full blossom, as is the magnolia in the front corner. Daffodils started emerging from the ground after the snow, and now are blooming in their full splendor. They remind me of the poem “Daffodils” by the English poet Wordsworth, which I studied in the ninth grade as part of my English literature class. “Golden daffodils fluttering and dancing in the breeze” do fill the heart with joy, as Wordsworth expressed so eloquently, although we have only a few instead of ten thousand that inspired him to write the poem on an April day. In our case, we have the cherry blossoms and the magnolias to enhance the beauty of the daffodils.

Semahat has already planted a few pansies in front, but rabbits and probably chipmunks are eating parts of them. She put rabbit repellants around them, but it could be a losing battle. Time will tell. She has also planted a few peony bulbs, which will hopefully sprout out soon. I prepared one patch of ground in her vegetable garden, so she could get an early start by planting her snow peas and spinach. Days are longer and warmer now, and she is happy to be able to spend some time outside working in her garden during the weekend. I have been going to the driving range regularly to hit a few golf balls to improve my swing, so I can play golf with Sinan and Chris this summer. Semahat and I are looking forward to our trip to France in May, when we will meet up with Sinan and travel in France for ten days before returning home together. Then comes the wonderful Pittsburgh summer, and we will have with us Sheela, Chris, Kaya, and the newest arrival, Kaya’s little brother Kiran, whom we have seen only on Skype. He seems to be a chubby little baby with a quick smile. Kiran will be six months old when they get here in early July, ready to enjoy his new surroundings, and getting to know AnneAnne and Dadu for the first time. Season of renewal and hope, that’s what spring is, and I am glad it is finally here.

Weeping cherry in full blossom, with daffodils blooming on the side.

Blooming Magnolias.

Birdhouse painted blue and yellow by Kaya is set on the cherry tree next to the kitchen window. The bird feeder is still hanging there, although it is no longer stocked with food for the birds.