Bring on Spring

While it has been a typical winter here in south Texas, for many of you

living in the midwest and the east, this winter has been brutal.  Having

grown up in a northern Chicago suburb right along Lake Michigan,

I can remember how long and tiring winter can be.  

I remember the huge snowdrifts left behind after the streets were

plowed.  Heavy jackets, tights, sweaters and boots.  The static 

electricity my long hair gathered.  Learning that if I dampened my

comb those long and errant strays would fall into place.  Yet then

again, only to return after the wearing of a knit cap.  The dreaded

hat hair.  

Despite these inconveniences, there are the treasured memories of 

winter too.  Ice skating with friends every weekend on the village ice 

rink.  Hot chocolate in the field house afterwards.  The two fireplaces

in our house always aglow with a fire.  Watching the burning embers

with the lamps turned off.  My Daddy capturing the glistening

branches covered in ice and highlighted by the moon as he worked

his magic with his camera.  

Once when there was a particularly bad ice storm, all the power went 

out for several hours on a Saturday.  My parents were supposed to 

attend a party that night.  Being typical hearty midwesterners, the ice

did not deter their party going spirit and they braved the elements.  

Meanwhile my next door neighbor Madeleine came over to spend the

night with me.  We camped out in sleeping bags with extra down filled

comforters in front of the fireplace in the recreation room.  Armed with

pizza, cokes, chips and an array of "junk food" we giggled away

the evening.  My parents eventually made it back home safely after

having a very memorable and joyful evening.  And for me, it that 

evening is also very memorable.  My dear childhood friend Madeleine

passed away several years ago.  Taken away from us far too soon by 

colon cancer.  Whenever I think of her, I remember that evening.

The giggling, the sharing of young hopes and dreams.

So here we are at the end of February.  We have all been down this

path before.  March can and will probably continue to be an

unpredictable month.  There will be days that will tease us into

believing spring is here at long last, and then convince us otherwise.

Yet we remain hopeful.  I for one say ~ bring on spring!

We are all ready now.

Tablescape Thursday

Home Sweet Home

Feathered Nest Friday

Show and Tell

Pink Saturday

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley