Ahhh. Spring!
Spring. It’s the word and the season that seems to be on everyone’s lips this year — mine included. Perhaps it’s because this past winter was less wonder and more blunder.
Even the posts of this blog have been overly devoted to thoughts of spring. First there was the lament over the loss of the season as I’ve always known it. Then came the quest to discover spring in my new surroundings.
And now, here is a return — if only for a week — to my Long Island roots, where Joe and I visited family and friends for the Easter holiday. As we spent time at Joe’s sister’s house with her horses, and then at my parents, it was clear that this spring is like no other.
The lingering winter chill seems to have spring pressing the snooze button. The season isn’t too quick to reveal all of the richness and fullness of its colors — but the hints are everywhere. Sunny breezes. Songbirds. Peeks of green that seem to multiply with each new day. And a mid-April snow, winter’s reminder that spring best take its time waking up.
A late-season snow leaves a crunchy coating on the spring landscape.
What a difference a spring day makes.
Rose leaves welcoming the slightest hint of warmth.
An iris shoot pushes its way through winter’s brownness.
Tank enjoys a day without his blanket.
Meet Goliath.
Rowdy, the barnyard cat.
Andromeda’s flower clusters are alive with the sound of . . .
. . . bees, eager to get to work.
The tools are also ready to work.
Autumn Joy in spring.
How exciting to see this bit of green sprouting from the woody stem of a hydrangea.
Who will get more apples this year: my father or the squirrels?
No weeping allowed — it’s spring!
The lilac is green — for now.
Forsythia heralds spring’s awakening.
Happy Easter!
Nitty Gritty Dirt Man 
Anticipation…and reward. Your closeups are wonderful. We want to share our joy with the world, so we have shared your photos with Twitter, FB, and LinkedIn. We really need a shot of warmth, don’t we? Best to you at Easter.
Hi Shenandoah. Thank you for all of your support! It’s greatly appreciated — as is that shot of warmth. Be well — and I hope its warming up where you are!
Really enjoyed the photos of your early spring. It is getting hot down here!
Hi Mary. I felt the heat before getting on the plane to head north. Imagine my surprise a few days later, when I had to scrape snow and ice off the windshield. Summer and winter in spring!
Happy Easter to you too, it’s always nice to visit for the holidays and I hope the warm days outweighed the cold. Beautiful close ups!
Hi Bittster. Since the brief but icy snowfall, temps have warmed up slightly. Overnight temps go into the forties. In South Florida, though, it’s nearly summer. What a difference a few zones make!
Spring is “pressing the snooze button” – ain’t that the truth! Lovely photos. We are about a week or so away from forsythia bloom. Fingers crossed that spring has finally gotten out of bed!
Hi Maggie. My fingers are crossed for you and so many people. I just spoke to a friend who lives in Buffalo. She said her sailing season begins in four weeks, but there is still plenty of ice on Lake Erie. We all need a little spring! 🙂
Beautiful, vibrant spring images. Enjoy your Easter visit.
Thank you — and Happy Easter to you PBM. 🙂
He has Risen indeed! And Spring is around the corner!
Hi Alesia. Wishing you and yours a very Happy Easter. Peace, my friend.
Honestly, how do you have spring and we don’t yet. The only plant I see the same is the iris fronds. Oh well, it has to come sometime. At least at your new home, spring sprung gloriously. Trees are still tightly budded here. Love the horse and pony. They look like they need a good petting. Happy Easter, Kevin.
Hi Donna. It’s interesting to see the season in different zones — but be assured, spring will make it to you. When I woke up this morning, my parent’s weeping cherry has already started to drop its blossoms, like confetti. I don’t know if the tree realized it had to catch up to where it should be at this time of year, or if the mid-winter chill was too much for the blossoms. Have a very Happy Easter!
Hi Kevin, Happy Easter. I moved to Florida from NYC many years ago. At first the “summer all year long” part seemed awfully strange, but then I got it. The seasons DO come to Florida! They may seem strange – like, the leaves fall in spring – but once you get used to different instruments playing the tune and key, the theme is the same. Except the peepers. I really miss the peepers. Enjoy your trip.
Hi Marlie. I love how you described the difference in seasons. Beautifully said. Thanks for commenting!
Welcome back to Long Island Kevin. It sure was a horrible winter here and you didn’t miss a thing. The buds are finally appearing after a slow start. Love the photos of Joe’s sister’s horses-they are beautiful! Enjoy your Easter!
Hi Lee. I was on Long Island for part of the winter, but escaped between storms. I’ll soon return to Florida, where it should be summer. I think my body is in some sort of weather Twilight Zone. 🙂 Happy Easter!
Fabulous..there is nothing like spring to reawaken your soul!! Happy Easter!
You said it, Donna. Happy Easter!
I have high hopes for the coming of permanent spring; it’s a ploy to make us all welcome her extra warmly.
Hi Ronnie. Interesting idea — the conspiracy of the seasons! 🙂
Beautiful – Happy Easter to you too, Kevin.
Thank you, Flavia — and to you as well!
Beautiful pics. As for the eternal battle of Harry vs. Squirrel – there is no contest! The squirrels will win, unless he finds some way to protect each and every apple in its infancy with some kind of wire cage that they can’t gnaw through! LOL! Here in VA, the forsythia is already past its prime, and we are in what is known as our 5th season – pollen! Everything is constantly covered in a thick layer of yellow-green dust – it’s gross! But the trees are blooming, the wisteria is in bloom and the world is awakened! Love spring! Happy Easter!
Hi Aunt Pat. Spring has always been my favorite season, with summer running a very close second. (Winter never even places!) It’s always exciting to see green re-emerging. Hope you had a wonderful Easter!
Brr still looking a bit chilly out there. Happy Easter to you.D.
Hi Doris. It was a bit chilly — and the snow was literally icing on the cake! Hope you enjoyed your holiday!
Reblogged this on Natural Stone… an Environmentally Sound Foundation.
Thank you for the reblog.
I am so glad you were able to spend some time at “home” in the spring that speaks most directly to your heart. Your photos are really beautiful, and I’m sure that now living in the land of perpetual sun and so far from your hydrangea buds and the daffodils poking up from their snowy bed, you must have soaked up every imagine you could possibly hold. And horses, too? Wow! I hope you’ll be able to visit often, Kevin. I’m also very sure your family was really glad to see you and Joe!
Hi Debra. It was a great visit with family and friends and some garden chums. It was so interesting to see the difference in seasons between the two zones, as well as the delay in spring’s arrival up north. The snow was a validation that warmer weather works for me. Hope you had a wonderful holiday with your family. 🙂
Still quite nippy here in the Northeast, but it is so exciting to see spring arriving. I guess the more you wait for it, the more you value it, but I am quite the impatient gardener sometimes! Love the horses!
Hey Indie. It was quite the week when I made it to Long Island. It was comfortably warm in Florida, then chilly in NY with snow and wind chills, then back to Florida, where summer seemed to make its arrival. That’s a few seasons in a little more than a week. I do hope it warms up for you so that you can get outside and start gardening and growing. Be well!