Seasons

I was just about to say this is my favorite time of the year in Dogpatch when I remembered saying the same thing last Autumn. That exact thought crossed my mind one morning when I was awakened by the stillness of new fallen snow, but mid summer on the lake is absolute joy.

Spring brings with it the thrill of budding flowers and fledgling birds attempting to fly from the nest. Dogwoods dot the hillside like soft lacy scarves draped throughout dormant trees. Daffodils planted in late autumn emerge from frozen soil as little green shoots only to erupt in yellow and white blooms while there is still a chill in the air. The Redbud trees crinkly spears of pink and magenta contrast with the clear blue skies to which they seem to point. Buds are showing on the deciduous trees and the forsythia is blooming yellow or red as it gradually adds leaves to replace the blooms. Birds are strangely absent from the feeder. A wealth of food is now available in the area near their nests. Eagles have hatched their young and we watch anxiously as the fledglings prepare for flying lessons.

In a couple of months summer will blaze in and days on the lake will bring welcome breezes only when the boat is moving. The remnants of all the oak tree droppings that color everything a mustard color in late spring will be cleaned from porches and cars. Ah yes, the infamous "tree poop" arrives on the winds of late April. That's when the honeymoon of spring ends and we gratefully welcome summer. Honeysuckle blooms perfume the air and hummingbirds flit around visiting anything with a blossom. Nothing beats the thrill of fireworks on July 4th, or the preceding barbecue. Ripe juicy watermelon and mountain grown blueberries make the mouth water in anticipation. The mountains are decked out in all shades of green and the roadsides are dotted with wildflowers. Fireflies sparkle in fields and hollows at night while mosquitos are blessedly absent here.

Changing colors of leaves announce the end of summer as we complain about the oppressive heat. Oh yes, by autumn, the glorious blaze has lost it's sheen and we hope for the cooler days and even anxiously await the first freeze, signaling the end of the growing season (ticks and chiggers, that is). Driving through these mountains in late October is spectacular. The journey during these balmy days is like candy for the eyes. The gold, orange, red, and yellow shades are vibrant in midday light and soften to frame magnificent sunsets over the lake. Young fawns born in late spring are losing their spots and their parents are beginning to exhibit grey winter coats as they feed incessantly. Watching the leaves dropping and floating on the soft breeze relaxes one's spirit. We could just enjoy these mild days forever.

Sometimes winter sneaks in with gradual drops in the temperature and other years it arrives as a sudden winter storm the day after a crisp sunny afternoon. It matters not the version of winter's appearance, it just feels so good to know the leaves have probably covered the yard, the driveway, and filled the gutters for the last time for the year. The end of autumn heralds the last of the leaves to be raked and burned. Snowfall on these mountains provides a tasteful display in black and white and shades of grey. The spot of red that is a male cardinal accents this soft background in a most pleasing way. We have a much better view of the lake when the leaves are gone, and my back porch is about as close to the water as I want when the winter chill hits. A warm fire and soup cooking in the kitchen are indulgences of the cold days when leaving the house is not a requirement. Holiday music and celebrations of Christmas just make the icicles seem to fit.

After a few months of freezing temperatures, it feels so very good to throw open all the doors and windows to air out the staleness of a closed house. Firing up the treehouse grill and putting away the soup pot signals that warmer weather is coming. For now, this IS my favorite time of the year!