Thursday, February 05, 2009

Just Around the Corner


Can it be? Can spring truly be just around the corner? Let's hope so.

It's so funny, this summer and fall when my brother Jim came down, he was saying how much he hated the cold. I would always respond with a "I'd rather have the cold than the heat." Well, about the same time my hormones went into gear is the time the temperature dropped down here. It has been SOOOO cold. Now I don't know if I'm just becoming used to the warmer climate down south here or if it is truly my hormones doing what they should--that is not feeling like the little oven that could all year round. Regardless, I am cold now and finally feel my brother's pain. We may just have to keep on moving further South if this keeps up. Riverside all year round? Don't know about that. (In actuality, our true dream is to move to Northern California when we retire.)

At any rate, it may be cold now, but I'm getting a little inkling of spring fever. Just a smidgen, mind you. While I haven't yet purchased the latest Victoria magazine (I let my subscription lapse), I did receive an email. When I opened it, the first thing I saw were the pictures of the cherry blossoms in DC (click here). Whaaaaa. Now that kinda stuff makes me sad. Those are the things you take totally for granted (most of the time) when you're living there. Truthfully, I don't think any one in their right mind could take the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin for granted though.

When I worked for my father at the photo studio, this was the beginning of the season. School groups would flock to DC and we would take their photos. So, in a sense, I never really looked forward to it. The busy time, spring, brought long hours of work after school and on the weekends also at a very young age for us. Who had time to actually stroll through the luscious blossoms? Not any one who worked for my father, that's for sure. Along with the Cherry Blossom Parade would come swarms of groups and was probably one of the busiest days of the year if not the most (worst). We would work well into the night at the shop and then have to deliver the pictures we printed all day to the hotels where the bands or school groups were staying. Phew. It was tough, but it made us all stronger, I believe. When I made it to high school, my Aunt Ollie suggested I enter the Miss Cherry Blossom beauty pageant. AS if! I was way too shy to have anything to do with that. But it was a fun fleeting thought anyway. Aw, those were the days.

After leaving my father's business and finding a real job, I remember when the blossoms were at their peak, driving by the Jefferson Memorial every night after work and it was just a joy. I didn't even mind that there was traffic when I could sit and look at them through several light changes. They are truly spectacular. I don't think I truly appreciated their beauty until then. You can't even imagine such a sight unless you have been there. Oh and to walk through them when the petals begin to fall is magical. A quiet picnic under one of the trees is quite a memorable moment. Sigh.

Yep, I miss it. I still miss "home." How could you not. Washington, DC is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It's even prettier once you leave and come back. You learn to appreciate the little things. And even the big things, like the brilliance of the cherry blossoms in bloom.

Sniffle.

6 comments:

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

A beautiful post! Spring is definitely around the corner... I've already seen catkins and the birds have been singing differently since more than a month!

Cheers,

Rosa

Queenly Things said...

Daffodils and blossoms everywhere here this week but the rain has come and I fear it will cause them all to fall. What I love is the fields full of yellow mustard flowers. I caught sight of one just last weekend.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Ah Memories, Rosa... George and I went to DC several years ago when the cherry trees were blooming. AMAZING..

Guess you had a real culture shock moving from DC to Nashville, TN, didn't you???? Life is definitely slower here. BUT--as much as I love to visit DC, I'd choose to live here in TN in a heartbeat.

Have a great evening.
Hugs,
Betsy

Linda said...

I saw someone with a bunch of daffodils today-always a sign that spring is on the way. Now I'll have to keep my eyes open for wysteria. It always blooms early here.

Robin said...

Wow! This post has me feeling so much guilt! I never make the time to go downtown to see this. I'm ashamed to tell you the last time I was there. Note to self....take advantage of the beauty in my backyard....go on a picnic under the Cherry Blossoms....visit some museums.....

Jeanie said...

So beautiful -- I've never been to DC and long to go. And what a nostalgic memory. Very lovely. We're to get a dash of spring tomorrow -- I hope it stays.

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