For weeks I’ve been staring out my window at bare forsythia branches, almost willing them to reveal the slightest whisper of yellow.
Finally, the other day, I saw it—the hint of yellow I’d been squinting so hard to detect seems suddenly to have arrived in full flower.
Snowdrops and purple and white crocus had already begun dotting neighbors’ lawns and, next, daffodils trumpeted the arrival of spring. I awoke to birdsong as robins, cardinals, and chickadees busied themselves in building nests to cradle new life.
Then, of course, it snowed again.
I know, some of you in sunnier parts of the country—and even in warmer places around the globe—have already been reveling in the sights, sounds, and joy of the return of spring.
Here in New England, we’ve been longing to put another long, dreary, cold winter to bed for good. I’ve grown weary of my sweaters, and can’t wait to find my flip-flops and dig my toes into the sand.
There’s something about the return of light, sunshine, warmth, and color that just seems to help my soul breathe.
The other day when it snowed, I was tempted to feel discouraged. Then I remembered a story from “The Chronicles of Narnia” children’s series. Aslan, the mighty lion, returned to Narnia which had been lingering under the spell of winter for as long as anyone could remember. He shook his mane and the spell was broken. The snow began to melt and spring returned to the land of Narnia.
Each winter is different here in terms of snow accumulation and of temperature highs and lows. But one thing endures—in the rhythm of seasons fading and unfolding, by the time the last mound of snow has finally melted, the earth seems to sing a song of joy.
We may yet see a flurry here in New England—and perhaps a few will yet come your way—but the spell has been broken. It’s a time for beauty, renewal, new life, and celebration.
I wish you much joy this weekend. And please let me know, in the comment box below, where you are seeing signs of new life and beauty around you.
Dear Ruth,
Thank you for all your updates & letting us know about the seasons in New England.
I live in Mumbai India. There is no snow. We only have hot summers from March to June. In summer here we have lovely Gulmohur trees which bloom with orange flowers. And when the flowers fall on the ground they leave a carpet of orange flowers. Same goes with Laburnum & Champa trees. Among birds we have the cuckoo & mynah, sparrows, crows & pigeons. I wake up to sounds of the cuckoo & mynah.
I am lucky & blessed to live in the best part of Mumbai, Malabar Hill. The temperatures can go up to 40*
From June to October we have the Monsoon season. It is a great reprive from the heat of summer.
Also in summer everywhere mango trees r in bloom. Mango is used in pickles, juice, as a fruit, in vegetables & in milkshakes & sweets.
In monsoon, God washes all the dust away & all the leaves r green & beautiful & full of life.
Of course it rains so much that there is a lot of floods.
From November to February we have a sort of winter but in Mumbai only one sweater if at all is required. It is the best time to visit India.
Basically since the past 25 years, Mumbai has become very noisy & polluted. It is a fun city to live in but basically unplanned.
The north of India , the seasons are very much like yours .
Thanks. Greetings of Easter to everyone 🙂
Happy Easter!
The ocean, blue skies, raindrops, desert,smiles, loving hearts of family, friends, partner, dogs, and being alive!
Thank you for the lovely message, Ruth.
Hi Ruth, BCoG (Beautiful Child of God);
I enjoy your comments & observations; but, I’m on a similar but different path. Trained on using my Pineal glands, 20 years ago, changed my life for the better, forever – derivative of Scientology via the Berkeley Psychic Institute.
Snow finally departed, except for shaded patches, about two weeks ago. Never a dull moment w/God & His Nature.
w/Love & GoOD Cheeer Normie (Muelleman)
I love your prelude to spring! As one who lives in the north in Minnesota i know far too werll the tenacity of the talons of winter ~ thus I flew south for Easter and more and send the beauty of cherry blossoms in abondance, well manicured gardens of vibrant tulips – all varieties, and the ubiquitous white blossoms of dogwood. i wish you joy blossoming in surprising places this weekend!!
Roxanna
Hi Ruth, In Australia we are in the middle of Autumn. Where I live in Brisbane we do not have the falling of leaves as our native trees are do not loose their leaves in winter. However I just love the Autumn weather.
Perfect sunny blue skies. The temperature is neither too hot nor too cold. Just glorious. The trees are green, birds are singing. It is truly a blessing to be on this wonderful earth in April and May. It brings back memories of being pregnant with my first two children. One born in April and one born in May. the glorious days of being in waiting and then the more glorious days of tending to my babes.
Seasons bring back the feelings of joy of past events, present and looking forward to future events.
On my bucket list is to experience a Fall in your part of US, I can just imagine the colour and the glorious fresh chill to the air. Life is good. May Gold bless you and yours.
Thank you Ruth, for your focus on natural beauty and for the wonderful reminder from Aslan!
As Oregon’s past poet laureate wrote “Oregon is insanely green.”
April 15th this year was my day to be so completely taken by the beauty, the green, the fresh, the Alive and Vibrant, that it moved me to tears. As I walked through Foothills Park, I took 167 photos in 90 minutes.
Our Mother Gaia is oh-so-awake and blessing us with connections to her Glory and beyond the veil.
Grateful for eyes to see, to be daily “coming to my senses”!
~ Jeanine DuBois, Compassion’s Doorway
Ruth, you are a joy to behold. The wildflower bluebonnets here in Central Texas are spectacular this year, even a few orange Indian Paintbrushes and pink Evening Primroses. And more grace our highways and byways thanks to Ladybird Johnson’s Great Work! Spring has sprung BEAUTY GIFTS for us to see everywhere.
I am on such a necessities-only budget that I cannot afford to join but I greatly treasure the FREEBIES you so lavishly bless us around the Globe with. Stay healthy, wealthy and wise and keep WRITING AND TALKING. Godspeed, love,
I live in La Quinta which is not far from Palm Springs. Yes indeed it is the desert with sand storms and potential for earthquakes. So why live hear? We have beautiful weather the temperature from Dec. through Feb is from 60 degrees to 80 degrees. The sun is out everyday you can count on it. Our snowbirds consist of Canadians, and folks from northern US. I can pick roses from my garden in Dec. Jan and Feb. Folks escape their frigid weather, and come here all winter to play golf, tennis, swim and take in limited cultural events, but we do have many Art galleries and two excellent Museums.
I live here all year which is no fun in the summer when temperatures can go as highs 123 degrees. I guess theres good and bad everywhere. We have become a resort area with many multi million dollar homes. It’s a great escape if you’re fed up with blizzards and the horrors of winter.
We have unusual mountains that turn a mauve color early evening.
We are in full-blown luscious spring in the Cotswolds. Our woodland garden is awash in pale yellow, white and lavender-blue native flowers. On our roof garden tulips are showing off. The beech trees are just coming into leaf – the tenderest green. The grass is growing thick and fast. Pregnant cows are in the field next to our house; black lambs and white lambs down by the stream. Everywhere is colour, life, hope and getting-on-with it energy. Thanks for asking!! and thanks for your generous website/newsletter! love and blessings from Stroud, Gloucestershire <3
Dear Ruth, even though I( haven’t met you, and probably never will, I feel you are my dearest friend and I thank you for all your wonderful work.
As another Easter rolls around, and Autum, in my part of the world (Santiago de Chile) also works its magic, I send best wishes and love to you.
We are in autumn here in Australia. it is my favourite time of the year. the mornings are crisp and cooler now and being Easter the full moon is spectacular. It glows so bright in the crisp evening air amidst the stillness of the calm. MAGIC
Lovely, but I am very jealose of the peace you enjoyed . I worked outside all day and suffered from the drone of hi powered blowers ALL day. Our immediate neighbors hired (they were away all day) hired 2 men to blow there entire yard. ALL day!
We don’t have a blower for environtal and neighborly reasons but I am toying with the idea of buying a canon and firing it regularly. The NRA would help me.
I do enjoy your lessons and appreciate them
Dear Ruth,
The beauty of this colonial Mexican city is breathtaking. Right now Jacaranda trees are large purple patches blooming against a clear blue sky. Seen from a height they blend with the various shades of bougainvillea, red, rose, yellows and purple, all of which drape themselves against a backdrop of crayola colored houses and walls. Added to this splendor is the fact that this week is Semana Santa, with its religious parades, pious ceremonies and church bells, church bells, church bells. As I observed to a fellow expat this morning, who was feeling a bit overwhelmed by the number of tourists, blocked off streets and extra noise (and wondering why could not the week be celebrated with less of everything) that the answer may be that we gringos write our holidays on our calendars, whereas the Mexicans have them written on their hearts!
A Happy Easter to you,
Dorie
Happy Easter to you Ruth. I so adore Easter and spring. When I die I hope thats it at that time so the church can be filled with my favourite flowers the daffodils and hyacinths and the gorgeous scent that they exude. All around us now are trees full of spring blossom and the beautiful pale green leaves that are bursting through. All of life is restarting anew and the wild life have paired off and we are awaiting for the new birth that is imminent. It is such a hopeful time and a renewable start to the year. We have just had a new great grand daughter, our second in 13 months. So new beginnings there too. All my good wishes to you and your friends here. I hope that you are feeling better and that you are filled with the fresh start that you are waiting for too! Carole
Hello Ruth; It was so interesting to me, reading the letters below, of fellow Canadians, all across our country where I have previously lived also. I love your photos of your Forsythia, but I miss the ones I used to have a hedge of them, now I live in a high condo, but have an indoor garden in my solarium.
Our spring here in southern Ontario, sounds just like you are describing. I love all 4 seasons here, & we need the snow to refill our diminishing lakes, so I never resent it. Just dress for it! There is a rock garden in the park beside my building where I go to see all the spring bulbs that I used to plant, plus their summer & fall flowers, so now I have all the pleasure without the labour of former
years. I also love the summer & fall colours, which you also have in New England, I believe. I really enjoyed reading the sharing of Americans around your country, plus “old” England where all my relatives live! And other countries also! I am impressed by the extent of your readership! Joya
It is always physically beautiful in Jamaica, West Indies. We barely notice the change of seasons, with the exception of the various flowering plants that give their showy display of colours and forms. We do have rainy seasons and dry seasons-with cooler temperatures some months each year. We have access to mountains up to over 7,000 ft. which have their own micro climates and weather patterns. We are surrounded by the warm Caribbean sea and benefit from Northers-which are cool winds and the N.E trade winds which provide cool breezes. We experience a tropical marine climate here too. Not to speak about our authentic tropical fruits-mangoes, star-apples, oranges, sweet-sops and custard apples and a variety of tropical plums.
How interesting to hear about everyone’s appreciation of the dawning of another spring. Living in the desert, I have learned that spring can have an entirely different message, still a cause for appreciation, but not in anticipation of the next season. In this climate, we don’t look forward to summer with its soaring temperatures to 110+, so we relish these warm spring days, and I feel myself wanting to hold on tightly as they seem to escape much more quickly than I would prefer. I’m enjoying the beautiful baskets of petunias and marigolds right now, knowing that all too soon they will wilt and dry. Becoming accustomed to spring from this perspective is new for me, after having spent my childhood in Saskatchewan, and most of my adult life in Colorado. However, as we all know, flexibility is an essential tool that we can continue to develop throughout out our lives.
Hi Ruth,
I live in Canmore which is 15 min from Banff, Alberta and in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Life for me in the mountains is simply breath taking, and I am in constant awe as I look out my window in the morning to see the beautiful snow capped mountains co-existing with all the signs of spring.
The extended daylight hours are amazing, we have daylight now until 8:30-9:00 in the evening, the bears are coming out of hibernation, the robins have returned and the temperatures are rising. We can still ski (as we did yesterday) and then come down at the end of an exhilarating day to spring conditions in the lower elevations.
And yes we can wake up to a dusting of fresh snow to remind us where we live and also know that within days, sometimes hours the snow disappears.
Life is precious, I feel blessed to be here now, and understand that “here and now” is all we ever have.
Blessings,
Henri
Hello Ruth,
Thank you for the emails, they are very enlightning.
Spring on Vancouver Island is beautiful, the trees are laden with blossoms, and the weather
is starting to get much warmer,some days a light sweater is all one needs, the birds are also
lovely and people are cutting their grass.
I look out my window and I see mountains and trees, and birds flying past my window,I am also
accross from a mall and it is like a living mural, people coming and going, (one knows what to wear
for the weather just by watdhing the people).
I feel so blessed to be living in such a place in peace abundance and beauty.
God bless you for your work. The world needs ;you.
millie
Thank you for sharing your spring. Here in central Saskatchewan we still have traces of snow (ok maybe more than traces). There is some consensus that we have a 5th season — Sprinter (spring and winter).
I am so uplifted with the brighter mornings, longer days and returning geese. Looking forward to driving out to the farm and looking to see if we have crocuses, and how many ducks and geese are nesting. Love the energy spring brings.
Here in the midwest, Leawood Kansas, the Jonquils are brilliant with yellow, the forsythia has bloomed and all of the flowering tress have burst through with the whites of the Bradford Pears, to the whites and purples of the Dogwoods, and the gorgeous pinks of the Crabapples. It seems as if G-d is rewarding us for enduring the long cold winter, ands is inviting us outside again. i love this time of year so full of hope and promise.
Ruth
Spring comes early to us here in British Columbia’s interior – the rivers are rising as the snowpack melts and the birds have been back for well over a month. Its very dry here – semi arid with tumble weed most of the year so seeing the green of spring – the daffodils poking their little yellow heads and the blooms of magnolias and forsythia is full of glory. I am forever grateful for the wonder of our world. The beauty that surrounds us and reminds us how fortunate we are to be living at this time. The universe provides just what we need – we need just slow down enough to recognize that.
Thank you for the reminder. 🙂
This is very uplifting and inspiring, Ruth! Thanks a lot for sharing your beautiful thoughts with us!
Hope you have a bright and joyful spring – here in Brazil it’s autumn, today in particular it’s dark and grey but we do have gorgeous sunny days as well.
Here on southern Vancouver Island, despite the cool, moist weather, there has been enough spring growing energy to fill my garden with new texture and colour. My garden is predominantly a spring garden with masses of woodland bulbs and plants of many colours and shades. The canopy is about half way towards refreshing its branches with new foliage, also of many shades and contrasting colours of gold, greens, reds, greys and blues.
Weeds of mostly green are showing their intention of filling the voids between plants, reminding that we don’t get to choose evrerything in life. Some need encouraging and nurturing while others need removing or discouraging before they invade and dominate the well tended garden. I’ts a fair deal. For a little work we get to enjoy the richness and beauty that took some planning and work to establish. and always there is a little maintenance involved. However, the maintenance affords good exercise and an opportunity to be close to those beautiful growing things and the earth which supports all life and of which we need reminding. So thanks also goes to the weeds. Some, I am told, can also be eaten in salads and steamed to provide valuable nutrients and health benefits.
Thanks for your insites, Ruth and these opportunities to participate in your work.
That is so beautifully said- thank you
And it shows me how important it is that we model ‘seeing’ to clients too- so that they may enjoy beauty again- the great healer- in all aspects of life, nature, music- food.. Have a wonder-ful Easter
best, annegret
A newborn grandson has added to our joy this spring season. Although he is in CA and we are in NY, today’s technology has kept him near our hearts. Crocus, daffodils, forsythia…all are blooming and such a welcome sight!
Thank you Ruth… In The North of England, Spring has been in full bloom, so lots and lots of awakening sights. It is heavenly to smell the blossom and a true pleasure watching this wonderful awakening. Birds are busy nesting which reminds me of new beginnings nice to see. Really gratefull for these wonderful sights.
I, too, am in awe with the beauty unfolding this spring where I live in the beautiful Sierra Mountains near Lake Tahoe, California. I’m soaking up the stunning beauty daily!
Your sharing shows all of us the underlying generosity and structure of our world even when we can’t see it.
Thank you.
The beauty of the earth is available for everyone, but not all experience it. I find that when I allow my thoughts to be beautiful, I find beauty in my external world. Thank you so much for inviting us to experience beautiful thoughts.
Lovely, Ruth….. Thanks for inviting this beautiful thread…… Here in Vermont, it is still brown, after a very long winter of snow and ice…… The last snow just melted this week, and the ice is finally off Lake Champlain (which froze over for the first time in years). A few crocuses are blooming, the tulips and daffodils are showing green as they courageously poke up through the earth, the gold finches are starting to shine yellow at the bird feeder, and the spring peepers (little frogs) are filling the night air with song. Yes, all of this, along with the returning light, is feeding my soul……..
I’ll try to put this to good use immdeiately.
Last year in the remaining dirt of an empty outdoor plant pot something started to grow. My neighbors thought it was a weed. I felt as if I was keeping watch over a hopeful secret until I knew for sure because I thought somehow I was watching a baby maple tree. It’s branches were more like flower stem and its trunk was like solid, strong stalk. I was right! A red maple tree arrived for me.
I’ve been waiting thru this long winter and wondering if my little tree in its pot was going to return. GREEN BUDS, tipping every mini branch and larger each morning for the last 5 days. Making their own springtime statements. And each branch with more defined red tipping. Still with delicate-stalk like branches and yet clearly and solidly and Elementally, a tree. BTW-she is more than 6 feet tall today!
A Most Happy, Healing, Fertile springtime to all and with all the gifts and energies of Spring- growing warmth, color, light, beauty and expectancy of unseen goodness, making ready to receive and celebration of those arrivals.
Here in Maimi many times we take for granted the weather we have and we should appreciate it more
After a heavy rain its sunny,cool and fresh ,every plant and flower is clean and greener,the air is clean
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and Jag Sameaj
Hi, here in Argentina enjoying Autumn which has come with a mild weather, days are shortening and nights beginning cold ( 4 or 6 degrees Celtion) so we are preparing ourselves for the coming real cold that in Tandil, where I live reaches 10 to 15 degrees below O in winter.Thanks for your kindness communication !
Sometimes here in California we take for granted the beauty around us.
We are blessed with flowers all year long.
So thanks, Ruth, for the heads up not to forget to be thankful and full of gratitude every single day.
Lily
Nest building is in full swing in my backyard! Willow trees are greening up!
Hello Ruth,
My mother looked for the signs of forsythia each year as she lived far away from her sisters
in Baltimore and missed her family terribly
Here in Myrtle Beach where I visit every few weeks, spring is out in full presence…. wonderful
as Easter approaches. Ducks are multiplying, birds are singing, and trees and flowers are
in bloom. Thank you for reminding us to take note of the beauty of each season.
Here in the south of France, the village of Grimaud, we had spring start a couple of weeks ago..and it is amazing how fast that early whispering of the pale green and buds is turning into fully blooming greenery and flowers…I noticed this especially with the huge Wisteria plant we have growing up our little house which was a wall of lavender flowers and is now a huge mass of different greens with lavender peaking through…
I have so enjoyed watching the season unfold this year. Thank you Ruth for bringing it further into focus.
Happy Easter!
Sima
As I read through the replies and saw the world is covered the saying “Grow where you are planted” came to mind. I can’t imagine living where there isn’t change of seasons are the rhythm is in my genes (although the perpetual spring location is tempting). At the first warm spell I had to go plant something is the dirt and then had to wait three week to see the new seeds popping their tiny heads through the warming soil. I watch the new born calves romping in the pasture, either from the window or out among them while feeding in the evenings. And watching a new born foal struggling to get those long legs coordinating to support the unfamiliar body in a whole new world–spring-rebrith-hope-new energy to grow-music for the soul
We had the joy of hosting a student from Ecuador for a year and with that seeing her experience seasons. She even wanted to hibernate and I had to explain it was a natural thing. Her sister who had been here a few years earlier was listening understood then why she had had the same feelings, but no one had explained it to her.
Peace-Joy-Eenrgy
THE SNOWDROPS AND CROCUS HAVE ALREADY DONE THEIR HERALDING, THE EARLY DAFFODILS HAVE BEEN HIT WITH OVERNIGHT FREEZING BUT NOW THE CLEVER MAGNOLIA BUDS HAVE HIDDEN THEIR AUDITION AND ARE NOW READY TO PERFORM ALONG WITH THE VINCA MINOR. AHEAD THE TULIPS, WISTERIA, AZALEAS AND THE MANY VARIETIES OF HEMEROCALLIS. GLORY TO GOD.
Even though here in Chile, is Autumn, we still have some beautiful and sunny days. I am enjoying
this warm sunny weather, the contrast of the forest against the ocean…the people surfing the waves…
and the most important source of happiness are my grandchildren who just move from Maui to Chile.
Happy Easter to you Ruth.
Ruth, here in North Carolina, spring is well established. we have a red bud in our back yard and I watch for it each spring. my heart always opens when I see the buds coming out!
although this song is not about a particular season, it includes elements of nature. I discovered it tonight for the first time and it has made my heart sing. It is by a famous American musician. Listening to this beautiful song before going to bed (after midnight here now) At the end there is a link to listen on u-tube
Lyrics – One Little song by Gillian Welch on album Soul Journey
There’s gotta be a song left to sing
Cause everybody can’t of thought of everything
One little song that ain’t been sung
One little rag that ain’t been wrung out completely yet
Gotta a little left
One little drop of fallin rain
One little chance to try again
One little bird that makes it home now and then
One little piece of endless sky
One little taste of cherry pie
One little week in paradise and I start thinkin’
There’s gotta be a song left to sing
Cause everybody can’t of thought of everything
One little note that ain’t been used
One little word ain’t been abused a thousand times
In a thousand rhymes
One little drop of fallin rain
One little chance to try again
One little bird that makes it every now and then
One little piece of endless sky
One little taste of cherry pie
One little week in paradise and I start thinkin’
Gotta be a song left to sing
Cause everybody can’t of thought of everything
One little song that ain’t been sung
One little rag that ain’t been wrung out completely yet
Till there’s nothing left
Enjoying a long spell of warm autumn weather here in Cape Town … as well as the autumn-flowering bulbs that grace the Cape at this time of year and the return of little grebes to the waterways in our Marina. Easter wishes to you, Ruth.
After our long and harsh winter we have experienced, our spring has givven us a variety of beautiful sunny days, warm days, cold days, green sprouts everywhere, smiles and pleasantries; the renewal of the earth is in us too. Is a blessing
What about the Southern Hemisphere!? You’re being very US-centric I think.
From the cherry trees in Washington DC to the red bud trees of the Shenandoah Valley, Spring is finally here! May the warmth and beauty of this season lift your spirits.
Ann
Hi Ruth!
Here in Caracas we enjoy eternal spring! We are really lucky weather wise, so much so that we tend to take it for granted. Realizing that in other parts of our beloved planet people have to wait a whole year to welcome the birds and the flowers should make us even more grateful and conscious of our privilege . Thank you for reminding us that small things make big changes in our lives!
Alicia
the magnolia tree in full blossom, the daffodils and other first blooms, the greening grass and budding trees – simply glorious!
So beautifully stated Ruth, the signs of Spring are finally upon us. Whether it was our harsher than normal Winter or recent focus on the importance of being present with the recent Mindfulness focus, but I too even have a greater appreciation for the beauties and signs of Spring. Enjoy this beautiful day!
Green grass and baby geese!
Fabulous x thank you