SPRING IS IN THE AIR

When i walked out the front door this morning, i smelled spring.

Sure, the thermometer boasted a stingy 36 degrees, my front lawn was still littered with remnants from the last snow storm, the sky was an unappealing shade of gray, and the weather forecast was more a portent of evil than anything remotely springlike. (Another (!) potential storm for the northeast is in the offing.)

Still, the scent was there.

The air felt denser (thought that could be due to the falling barometer), smelled more lush -- fertile even. There was a vibrancy that hadn't been there, say, two weeks ago, when everything just felt dead. This morning there was a quivering of anticipation, as if everything was just waiting for the go ahead to bloom. Even the birds chirping had a little more umph. (mornin', sister oriole!)

Regardless of whatever fury winter has left, she has officially entered lame duck status. The vernal equinox is a-galloping galloping...

So with the subtle seasonal shift, my mood was brightened. Im excited for spring. Spring means warmth and color. It means opening windows, taking long walks and extended daylight. It means sun kissed skin, it means going hosiery free. Spring is a spiritual slough for me, washing away the gloomy scales of winter.

I'm already plotting on a few things to do this spring. Number one is get my vegetable garden on and popping. Im not a lover of dirt, and i haven't green thumb the first, but i loves my veggies and the idea of growing my own is appealing. (Right now i just have an herb garden.) I have a decent sized backyard, (especially for a city dweller) why not try raising my own produce? I won't have to worry about weirdo diseases from poor quality control, and I can feel good about minimizing my conspicuous consumption. Im not even sure what i will plant (what grows around here?) - but i've been bequeathed with tons of seed catalogs (thanks to mom and grandmom lol) and one of these evenings i intend on reading them in earnest, and then ordering.

Secondly im buying a new bike, my current bike is my heart, but i need a new one. Ok, maybe i don't need one, but i'd like one. (The line is so fine sometimes.) I live five minutes away from a beautiful park(which has this awesome unexpected treat hidden in it), and i plan on doing lots of riding in and through on the weekends. I'd like my new bike to be one of these, if not this:

This is a dutch bike by the manufacturer jorg and olif. Hot right? RIGHT? lol :-) Yes, im not one for lots of speed and flash. This bike is very much my style, laid back and understated (with a hint of tchotchke.) I'm not trying to race through life, i want to experience every moment, at my own pace. (read: im boring. love me or leave me alone. lol)

Its also time to start airing out my spring/summer weather wardrobe. Im excited to bring out my sundresses, tank tops, big floppy hats -- and maybe shop for some new things as well. Spring hasn't officially sprung yet, but it's on its way.

Can you feel it - The Jacksons