Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Signs of spring

Yesterday my sister--yes, the one with the lovely snowflake tattoo, which I would showcase on my blog if she were to send me a picture of it--said that I seemed to be having writer's block. It's more like blogger's block, but she has a point. Whining about being too busy cuts no mustard with Susan, and with good reason. She knows that I have time to do other things.

Like running with my pal and fellow kids' book writer, Alice. Once a week, through rain, sleet, snow, and sometimes even sunshine, we run in beautiful Meadowbrook Park. Two loops through the park--with a recreated tallgrass prairie and groves of trees, bisected by a creek and featuring sculptures scattered throughout--is four miles and plenty of time to talk about writing, family, and politics.

This morning, we ran in a cool gray misty rain--and everywhere I looked, there were signs of spring. There seemed to be red-winged blackbirds on every other stalk of prairie grass, filling the air with their chirr-chirrs. Pheasants and robins were out in force, and I saw a hawk with a white breast--too large for a red-tailed hawk, it seemed. (I wonder if anybody who might be reading this and taking an ornithology class at Macalester would know what kind of hawk it was.) And then, most surprising, a good-sized crawdad in the middle of the concrete running path. I picked up the confused little guy, his claws waving furiously, and put him back by the nearby creek.

I suppose spring makes everyone a little foolish at times.

When I got back from my run I spotted these snowdrops peeking through the leaves in my front border. Yes, we're all ready for spring.

8 comments:

PJ Hoover said...

I think I fell asleep during ornithology.

Amy Timberlake said...

Spring is coming! Thanks for the happy photo. I've been searching for spring too...

Sara Latta said...

Ornithology classes tend to come distressingly early for college students, don't they?

And, Amy, I can see from your blog that you really are looking for spring.

Vivian Mahoney said...

I am so ready for spring. Now...how's your writing coming along? ;-)

Sheri Perl-Oshins said...

Hi Sara,
Great blog! I have also been searching for signs of spring. My girls and I were so happy to se robins and crocuses in bloom the other day. I believe Redbuds have buds on them already. Meanwhile, we had show showers yesterday - but just a flake or two...

Anonymous said...

well mom, a red tailed hawk is actually about the biggest hawk you're likely to see in illinois right now.

Sara Latta said...

Vivian, I'm happy to report that I just sent in my lava scientists revisions. I've been working on Into the Fire a lot in my head; now I can get it down onto "paper." Thanks for asking!

Really, Alison? Well it was a big one, then.

Sara Latta said...

Hi Sheri, thanks for visiting. Is it just me, or is everybody feeling spring fever more than usual this year?