Beech Tree News Network

Last week, Alex DeMetrick (WJZ, Washington, D.C.) reported that a sign of spring has been identified: Washington’s cherry trees are budding. According to the report, the National Park Service anticipates that Washington cherry blossoms will peak April 11-14. As we eagerly watch, signs of spring abound in our region, too.

Many people have commented on spring. A few of their thoughts are listed below (http://www.quotegarden.com/spring.html):
•    I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden. ~Ruth Stout
•    Spring is nature’s way of saying, "Let’s party!"  ~Robin Williams
•    Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world. ~Virgil A. Kraft
•    The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month. ~Henry Van Dyke
•    Spring is not the best of seasons.
Cold and flu are two good reasons;
wind and rain and other sorrow,
warm today and cold tomorrow.
~Author Unknown

Between our two recent snow storms, my mom said that she heard frogs croaking for the first time in months. Mom lives in Muhlenberg County near Lake Malone. I checked the Internet for a connection between spring and frogs, and found the following information (http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2010/02/frogs-are-sure-sign-spring-...): “Certain species of frogs, such as the wood frog, begin singing even when there is still snow on the ground. They interpret cues from nature, including slight rises in temperature, that it’s time to travel to vernal pools and ponds and begin breeding. At the breeding sites, huge numbers of frogs sing to attract mates and the sound can be deafening.” So, it seems frogs do signal that spring is near.

Next, I asked friends and family what signs of nature they watch for to identify the arrival of spring. Their responses are below:
•    Turkey’s gobble.
•    Buds on the trees and jonquils.
•    Easter flowers blooming.
•    The sweet smell of the buttercups, the early mornings, and how green the grass is.
•    I don’t just look for one thing. The earth and all its parts are waking up to new potential. We get another chance at life – starting over.
•    I look for yellow Easter flowers, trees budding, birds chirping, and frogs croaking – just anything because it’s my favorite time of year!
•    Frogs croaking.
•    Daffodils and tulips – my favorites!
•    Sneezing due to trees budding.
•    Turkeys gobbling!
•    Spring is the most sensory defined season, I think. I don’t so much see it before I can smell it. It smells like fresh earth and new life. Then comes the impatient daffodils and the greening of grass. It’s a very hopeful time of year. I love it.
•    When my Pomeranian, Topper, starts shedding his winter coat.
•    Sounds of birds.
•    Everything greening up.
•    Tulips, buttercups, and my grass turning green again.

Following winter, the natural cycle bringing spring with new leaves, green grass and colorful flowers is a welcome change. Bern Williams said, “The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created spring” (http://www.quotegarden.com/spring.html). And, I hope Washington D.C.’s cherry tree blooms are remarkable this year.