Blossom by blossom the spring begins.~Algernon Charles Swinburne.  It’s always beautiful when spring comes to Monterey County.  The dry gray hills are suddenly a rich, velvety green, and trees and flowers start to bud and blossom.  Seasonal creeks begin to fill the air with the sound of water rushing over and spilling through rocks, and suddenly, quail families and white tailed bunnies make their appearance.

On my farm, I start to see small wild jonquils and pink shooting stars dancing over the hills.  And seemingly overnight, my rosemary shrubs become covered with fat lavender flowers.  

The roads are suddenly framed by pink and white blossoms.

Frogs begin their mating chorus from the creeks, and sometimes I find a lone vagabond toad wandering about the farm or in my flowerbeds.  This one reminds me of “Hoppy Toad”, the top hat wearing character in the Raggedy Ann books I read as a child. 

Lacy fern fronds begin to unfurl from the canyon walls, and trilliums start to cover the forest floors.

My half Angora, half Nigerian goats begin to shed their long fur, and start to look like they have dreadlocks!

Spring makes me feel hopeful.  A friend of mine put it very succinctly.  She explained that despite everything going on in the world, life continues to renew itself.    She further added, “Rebirth and life anew is always so hopeful because it means we have a chance to make changes, and hope that things will get better.” 

L. M. Montgomery confirms, “That is one good thing about this world…There are always sure to be more springs.”

I can’t think of anything lovelier than watching horses graze peacefully near my home.  Green grass, trees dripping with flowers, fresh air and sunshine are what spring is all about.

Those of us living in Monterey County have so much to be grateful for. For those of you living in colder climates where spring seems like a distant dream, heed the words of Anita Krizzan: Spring will come and so will happiness.  Hold on. 

Thank you for visiting my blog.  Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!