Softly Before Dawn

Before opening my eyes I realized a forceful wind was blowing. Cuddling in bed I shivered, knowing how chilling a winter wind can be. But eventually I did get up to determine what kind of a day the second day of 2010 was going to be. I ventured into the back porch and opened the door. What a surprise to feel a spring chinook wind pummeling bare tree branches! Yesterday’s snow had all but vanished. Out I went to feel the effect of oncoming spring. I uncovered a soaker hose I neglected last month and freed it from the covering of Ponderosa pine needles. Out behind the cedar fence I raked those needles away from the base of the boards. No need to let needles pile up to fuel a brush fire if one were to sweep though the shelter belt. I shouldn’t have worried. Needles, leaves and plants are still soaked from the recent snowfall. Not a bit of the slush was left on the street. A few hours and the warmth of the Pacific currents changed the air in Richland. Very nice. Exhilarating, in fact. That’s how weather changes affect me. I regret not building a snow man to guard my snow angel but that too would have disappeared. Spring may or may not have arrived. We shall see.
Naomi Sherer