May 5: I once worked with a guy who said that Spring was never assured until the Saucer Magnolias were in bloom. He would wait expectantly for weeks for them to appear before declaring that the season had begun. They are so beautiful, yet so fragile that they only last a couple of days, and then they are gone for another year.
I am not alone in wanting to believe that Winter is finally behind us. It has been a long and cold slog this year, and I know that my outlook has suffered. I’m not big on Winter sports, and even a walk has sounded less than exciting in the face of -35 degree wind chill.
But in the last few weeks there have been hopeful signs: the crocuses are poking their heads out and daffodils are emerging from the warmer corners. The maple trees are all in bud and soon the roads will be covered with those lime green florets they shed. Apple trees are in blossom in Niagara, and, yes, the Saucer Magnolias are out too.
Spring is here.
