The grass "popped" and went green from one day to the next this past week-end when the weather suddenly turned warm. This is when I truly know that spring has sprung. A warm rain was falling outside. The next day it snowed and night time temperatures dropped to winter levels. Now it is pleasant again. That's April. Spring is about a fresh start, a bit like New Year's, but tied to nature, as opposed to a man-made calendar. The cycle begins anew. As a matter-of-fact, when I was little in Germany the school year used to begin in the spring with Easter. In April the grays and browns of winter slowly give way to spots of color - a bit of tender green here, a white Snowdrop or yellow Narcissus there. Still timid, but so refreshing. I open the windows to let the crisp outside air in, so nice after the warm dry indoor winter air. I look forward to yellow forsythia and soon the pink of luscious magnolia and whites of the fruit trees. The bolder colors come later, I have to be patient.

The never ending cycle starts again - how reassuring in a chaotic world. Happy Spring! Happy Renewal! Happy Easter!