Last Saturday morning I drove to my daughter and son-in-law’s home in Newberg. The sun was shining, the sky was a brilliant blue, and the thermometer was edging toward 65, warmer than it had been in months. I flipped the car radio from NPR to KMHD, my favorite jazz station and rolled my window down. I turned up the volume, and sailed down the highway under the spell of a beautiful early spring day.
When I got to Josh and Laura’s house, I was a little bit high on the idea that spring had arrived, and I couldn’t wait to get out in the sunshine. I took Laura and Josh’s little dog, Oz, and my own small dog, Teddy, for a long walk.
Everyone seemed to be outside; walkers, joggers, and some folks standing in their yards visiting with neighbors. One woman knelt in her front yard planting pansies. The air was filled with friendly good will. People smiled broadly and said, “Good morning! Isn’t it a Beautiful day!”
We were all just a little bit giddy.
As I passed a man and woman smiling and chatting in their front yard, the man looked up and said, “Good morning! Nice job you did ordering the weather today!”
“Thank you!” I said.
Sunday was as beautiful as Saturday had been. Laura and I decided to visit Al’s Garden Center in Sherwood. We wandered the aisles for quite a while, enjoying the plants and flowers, inhaling the sweet, earthy smells, and sitting on nearly every patio chair Al’s was selling.
As we left Al’s and headed to the car we were startled by the loud honking of thousands of low-flying geese. They weren’t Canadian Geese, but neither of us could identify them. In dizzying waves, they passed overhead and spread out half of a mile in every direction.
We could have sought protection in the car but we just stood there in awe, directly under the large birds, taking our chances at what they might drop on our heads. I doubt I will ever again see so many geese flying at once.
When the birds had passed, Laura said, “If we had left three minutes earlier or three minutes later, we would have missed the entire thing!”
Later that afternoon I drove home from Newberg with the window down and the music playing.
With the sun, a fresh breeze through the open car window, the music, smiles from strangers, the urge to visit Al’s, and wild geese flying overhead, this must be spring fever.
I know I have said this before but you are such a great writer! I have had that feeling after seeing the first signs of spring that literally give you a spring in your step. Your mental picture of the geese will never fade and well worth the sacrifice of taking a photo.
Thank you for reading my dear friend!
Dear Susan, I have truly enjoyed your most recent post as well as the one about the illusive little deer. I have
lived here for 44 years come this May and have been witness to the many beauties and miracles of God’s
most innocent ones. I wish I had the talent to properly convey all I’ve seen and experienced over my many
years. It is so satisfying to know there are others who take the time to see, too feel, to appreciate and to respect.
Sincerely, Barbara
🙂 I’ll have to remember that “ordering the weather” line!
Some of us will take credit it for anything! Thank so much for reading.
Beautiful story, and well written!
Thank you for reading, Josh!
Thanks for the joyful glimpse of what a little warm sunshine can do. Wishing you many more glorious spring days!!