Readers rejoice in the coming of spring

April 17, 2008 12:15 am

FROM THE special scents spring awakens to the joy of simple walks in the warm sun, readers are glad to count their blessings with the arrival of the season.

Asked what they most look forward to about spring, they gave myriad reasons, some of which I share today.

Pat Weinhardt of Spotsylvania County said that growing up in southern West Virginia gives spring a special meaning.

Back then, winter was long, dark, wet, bone-chillingly cold, with mud, ice and depressing days.

"The dark and chill and sadness worked its way into our bones and our hearts," she said.

But "then, one morning, we noticed a little bud peeping out of the ground, and hope was born again." That was followed by the smallest "tickle" of excitement of looking at the mountains and seeing the slight hint of green.

"On those days when we could not see anything ahead but depression, we noticed that God had taken a big can of yellow paint and splashed it on all the forsythia bushes," she said. "Some drops spilled on the ground and became daffodils.

"Everywhere we looked, there was new life, new hope, new promise."

Weinhardt got confirmation that spring truly meant new life when her daughter was born on the first day of spring.

Dale Washington of Ruther Glen in Caroline County loves to remember the days when her mother took advantage of warm days with a breeze to hang out the laundry.

It "smelled so fresh, and I can remember trying to run through the sheets as they swayed in the breeze."

"Spring means opening our hearts and clearing our minds and being open to all the things that God has in store for us," she said. "Never mind the fact that I'm allergic to almost everything in the great outdoors. There is still much to enjoy."

Tom Rankins of Spotsylvania said he looks forward to riding around in a recently purchased convertible.

"Unlike the one I had in the '60s, when I would ride around the Hot Shoppes in the winter with the top down and the heater on full-blast, now I look forward to the days when the weather is warm enough for an older and wiser gentleman to take a ride on a clear, blue Virginia day and enjoy the sun, sky and breezes that accompany a ride in his first topless car since 1969.

"When ordering a personal plate for my used chariot, my wife suggested mid-life crisis. I went with BREZ LVR. Oh yeah, I'm ready for spring!"

Joyce Sandidge-Jones of Supply said spring's arrival means the hummingbird feeders she hangs out will soon be visited by the ruby-throated guests she loves.

"Soon, I will have six or more feeders out and the swarm of hummers will exceed 50 or 60 by summer," she said. "I stock up on sugar in 10-pound increments as these little guests prefer sugar water to any commercial brands."

She added, "They are a joy to watch all summer and when they depart in early September, it will be a sign that fall won't be far away. But today, it is spring-like, and I anxiously check the feeders in hopes of catching the first of my seasonal guests."

Rob Hedelt: 540/374- 5415 rhedelt@free lancestar.com