The First Day of Spring!

It's the first day of spring! Here in Michigan, at least where I live, it reached close to 50 degrees! (we get pretty excited this time of year when that happens!) Almost all the snow has melted. There's still a chance it could snow, but from here on out...the days get longer and warmer. The birds are back, busily building nests for the next generation. Ice melts across the surface of open water, the recession bringing spring's hope along with it.
My thoughts eagerly turn towards the now bare ground surrounding my very small patio. I can't wait to decide what color & type of flowers I'll plant this year. I'm looking forward to the work of setting my patio up! Seeing it come back to life, as it were, after a cold winter's respite. There are hummingbird feeders to hang, and this year my patio will sport a baker's rack! Nope, no pies or baked goods will be on it, but it should have some colorful plants!
My cat will remember that my patio door is like her own television nature channel, and I'll laugh with delight as I see her take notice of all sorts of wildlife. Mice, chipmunks, birds of all sorts, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, an occasional opossum or skunk, deer...and, oh yes other people's pets! It's a veritable nature preserve, and she keeps a watchful eye over it all.
Wearing sandals, going barefoot, pulling weeds, watering flowers...these are the rewards of summer. Sipping my Sunday morning coffee on the patio, before the rush of things needing to be done takes over. Taking the time to try, yet again this year, to get the perfect hummingbird picture. Re-learning that sometimes, the best thing you can do is stop and drink it in. Pause and be grateful. Look around and see how good you have it. Dream. Plan. Make goals. Pursue the life you want. Then, stand in awe as you actually live that life!