An indomitable groundhog scurries across my lawn, signaling the start of Spring. A hairy woodpecker drills at sunrise from the dead branches of a tall locust tree and garners my attention, signaling the start of Spring. Pyramidal piles of pea like deer droppings accumulate by my patio, signaling the start of Spring.
But, ‘where is Spring’?
The calendar confirmed it days ago. The incessant honking of returning geese announced it from the heavens, and well tanned ‘snowbirds’, returning home from sea, sand and sun, expressed their disappointment and dismay at finding lingering snow showers. Even weather reporters proclaimed it, albeit reluctantly.
But, ‘where is Spring’?
Baseball players pass hours oiling their gloves and tarring their bats, hoping against hope that fields will be green and plush for Opening Day. Pot holes turn roads into obstacle courses, challenging drivers at every turn. Even the earliest flower, the crocus, is nowhere to be seen. The supply of hand warmers is depleted. The flannel sheets are worn thin. The damp air, low clouds, and dire forecast surely is winter’s last ditch effort to overstay its worn out welcome.
But, ‘where is Spring’?
Mother Nature was kind to western New Yorkers this winter, giving us hope that Spring would be early. However, the proverbial ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ seems to be out, dashing our spirit. Easter Sunday is but days away. Newspapers are announcing the opening dates of local golf courses. School kids are starting their ‘Spring Break’. And while my weather app just flashed this warning, ‘ snow flurries starting soon’, I am compelled to ask…
‘Where the Hell is Spring?’
srbottch.com
S'amusing 
the robins have returned and the geese are flying north so maybe they know something we don’t! Enjoyed your article once again.
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Thank you, Meg. I appreciate it. My son sent me a picture if his magnolias in northern VA. So, it’s Spring somewhere.
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Hi my friend.
Un chef d’oeuvre.This might be Your Best short story.The style, the Art of writing I am missing vocabulary To say how I like or.
Thank you for sharing.
You are ready To write a book and win an award.
Xxxxx
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Oh, you French are so flattering. I would hire you as my European publicist and we would conquer the continent. We would do better than Napolean!!! LOL!!!
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Bless your old, cold hearts. Dogwoods are blossoming out, the old oak tree outside our deck is swelling with buds, the redwoods are absolutely beautiful and Gary cut the front yard yesterday here on the mountain. Supposed to be 70 tomorrow but heavy rains coming in over the weekend. Love your musings. Don’t lose heart, brother, Spring is on the way. Happy Easter to you and Cheryl
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I’m still wAiting. It erased us today but we actually have flurries in the forecast in a week, or so.
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Hope you had a wonderful Easter.
Today was a Spring teaser. We still have snow in our long range forecast. I hope they mean December. A stray crocus actually sprouted in the lawn today. A squirrel just have relocated it. Otherwise, no spring flowers have been spotted in these parts yet. Tulips and daffodils are still emerging front their winter hiding spots.
Are you watching March Madness? Did you see the wonderful comeback by Syracuse today? The ‘Cuse is the bug team around these parts. Go ‘Orange’!
Love, Stephen.
>
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It’s here, in TX. I’ll try to hurry it along your way! Enjoyed your post as always. Thanks so much for your thought provoking words!
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You’re very kind with your comment. I owe you some communication. Been busy painting. Are you on Instagram? As a professional narcissist, I’m there. Check me out at ‘srbottch’. What’s yours?
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Oh, my goodness. You are so far ahead of me. No Instagram for me. Yet!
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I like IG better than FB. It’s a nice community of people and I’ve made friends with contacts around the world. I enjoy taking photos and, as a professional narcissist (😄), it’s fun showing them and getting feedback. If you join, make sure to give me your user name. Best regards, Steve
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Will do!
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Ida Beth, I read your nice comment again and just want to tell you how I appreciated it. By the way, my friend has returned from FL and we’ll be getting together for another ‘Bar Chronicle’ evening. I already have a theme, ‘The Pin Setter’. Hope to write it soon. But, first, a beer or two.
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Well, Easter has come and gone and still no………………… S P R I N G ! Mama Weather is such a drama queen. Unlike me, of course. 🙂
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Not a flower to be seen, yet. Drat! ‘Thou art not a queen, thou art an actress…’ No, not Shakespeare, I made it up, myself. 😎
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I like it!
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I hear you! I see the robins, hear the woodpeckers and sit in the stands for lacrosse games. All harbingers of spring. Did I mention it snowed during the last lacrosse game? :).
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And I’m so appreciative that you’re sending it east. Our long range forecast is terrible. Y’know, I should have used that word, harbinger, in my story. ‘Shoulda, coulda, woulda’… Thanks for your comment and joining the ‘where the hell is spring’ chorus!
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Another well written story. Keep up the great work!
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Thank you. I have a number of stories started but seem to be in a mental block stage as far as finishing them, at least to my satisfaction. But I’ll break through soon so ‘stay tuned’.
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That’s a very good question, to which there is no answer as of the present moment!
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It was surprising to read that story from 7 years ago as it is the same circumstances today, or just about the same.
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I have alway looked forward to the Masters as a sure sign of Spring somewhere in the US! Our winter was mild this year and the stringing back to back days of sunshine are few in Spring and the gray skies dominate. It is something we complain about each year but we persevere, just like you do Stephen with your pen!
Thank you!
Michael
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Thank you, Michael. Love the Masters, too. As for Spring, all of s sudden, it’ll be here. And my writing, it’s good mental therapy. I should put them in a book😂
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We’re having three seasons in a day here, so that’s about normal!
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Any day, now. Keeping fingers crossed 😉.
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Hi Steve, I am assuming this is relevant again this year. Sorry you are getting snow flurries. Our weather is turning cooler now and soon the cosmos will finish and the leaves will start to fall.
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Spring seems to find its own way in its own time…. I think we are impatient after our Long winters of cold dark long days.. Even in April in England we have had heavy snow fall towards the end of April and even in May… Fingers crossed we are seeing the warmer weather finally arrive…
Thank you for your recent visit too… And for the repost..
Take care…. 🙂
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