Nature Walk

First flowers of the year!

This evening I decided to take advantage of the freakishly warm weather we've been enjoying of late, and got out for a walk.  I love this time of year, when the world is beginning to wake after the slumber of winter.  I could feel it in everything, in the wind playing in my hair, the cloud tops glowing like giant South Sea pearls in the last light of the sun.  The birds are active and singing their approval of the change that's coming.  There were more wild ducks than I've ever seen congregating in the creek that runs through the middle of the park in my neighborhood, resting on their way to somewhere else.

 Mind you, I live in a fairly urban locale, only two miles or so from downtown Oklahoma City, and you would think that nature would not be that close at hand. It is if you look for it and pay attention.  The big willow in the park is showing signs of the imminent spring, the long strands of her hair turning the bright yellow that proceeds spring green.  Our maple tree is blooming, and the brave daffodils are up, having thrown all caution to the wind in defiance of winter.

Spring is definitely here- yes, it will most likely freeze again, and the weather here isn't exactly reliable this time, or any time of the year, for that matter.  The park will change daily as the trees wake up, the rains will come and the earth will explode with life.  You have to pay close attention, or you'll miss it.  Kind of like life- pay attention, stay in the moment, because it is short.  I don't want to miss a thing.