Spring is Springing!

I told you last month how I really hate being cold; however, I did resolve to embrace the beauty of winter. We've been here in Nebraska for three years now. Growing up in Upstate New York, I truly appreciate how mild and short the winter season is here, albeit beautiful! The fact that there is less snowfall in the Midwest is not as comforting to me as you might think though. Snow insulates. Without it, the wind is free to chill you to the bone...and it does.

So here I am, on the verge of Spring in South Central Nebraska. With great anticipation I think of sandhill cranes (and snowgeese), landscaping (and yard work), sunshine (and cleaning windows)... The kids want their bikes out of the shed and I am looking forward to getting out the BBQ grill (yes, and even cleaning it up).

Spring is beautiful too! It offers many opportunities for learning. The Sandhill Cranes migrate here on the Platte River EVERY spring without fail. Over 500,000 of these really majestic-looking birds grace us with their presence. I commented to my husband the other day that we never would have seen anything like this in NY. I'm still working on getting a great shot of a (real) Sandhill Crane close-up. This will be the year...I can feel it!

Something else they have here, that we didn't in NY, are ground squirrels and prairie dogs. We take the kids out to the old bunkers near here and watch them every spring and into summer. What a sight ... and sound! Once you hear their warning 'chirps', you're drawn back every season! Just to sit and watch their 'community' hustle and bustle is a real treat.

Speaking of the seasons, do you know what season Spring ushers in here in the Midwest? Tornado season! My husband is a storm chaser and this is his favorite time of year. It's time! He's getting all of his equipment ready and watching the weather channel faithfully! He's testing this and that and watching stormtrack.com's discussion forums like a hawk. Most people run for cover when tornado sirens sound. Pete puts his hand on his heart and salutes when he hears 'the music'. Then he dashes off to watch nature's big show.

Don't get me wrong...he's all about safety first. He makes sure we're all prepared before he goes anywhere. If he does come across damage, he's the first one in line to help. It's going to happen anyway...so he's sort of 'on call'. In the meantime, I guess the thrill of his hobby keeps him happy. I'm okay with that.

Spring is springing! Woohoo! I have no problem embracing this season; in fact, I look forward to it. I hope you have the same anticipations where you are. Drop me a line and let me know what Spring means in your area.