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It’s hard for me to believe that this is the first day of spring. The year seems to be vaulting ahead at high speed. But here we are. Winter is officially over now and spring weather is upon us. In South Florida, I always feel the best weeks of the year come during March and April, sometimes spilling into May. There’s often a fresh breeze blowing, as there is today, with little humidity and bright sunshine nearly every day. It’s a great time. My windows at home are open, my car’s convertible top is down wherever I go and I savor every minute outdoors.
Last night, I welcomed the approaching arrival of this hopeful season in my own way. At twilight, I took a drive to the beach. The ride itself was lovely, with a last great streak of rose sweeping across the western sunset sky as I headed toward A1A. There wasn’t a lot of traffic so I moved right along. But by the time I parked at the Fort Lauderdale beach, it already was night.
I had thought I might leave my car and go walking with the crowds a bit farther north along the beach, all the people clustered by the bars and restaurants and hotels. I didn’t. Because I happened to park near a large old pine tree growing among the coconut palms and, as I stood admiring it in the pale light, I noticed a full moon behind its branches. The pine needles poked in silhouette into the moon’s silver face. The moonlight looked like a gentle shimmering wash across the sea, its reflections shifting as the waves swelled and rolled and broke apart on the shore. It was beautiful and I couldn’t bring myself to wander. So I sat on the sea wall for quite a while, just watching. A group of folks on the beach were barbecuing something that smelled very, very good. Maybe chicken or ribs. I wasn’t sure. Finally, my own hunger made me leave, not for barbecue but for takeout pasta at my favorite Italian place. As I drove away from the beach, I felt refreshed somehow. My little private moment with the pine tree and the moon and the ocean seemed to me a good way to welcome spring. The winter may have passed by before I knew it, but I was glad this new season was here.
Last night, I welcomed the approaching arrival of this hopeful season in my own way. At twilight, I took a drive to the beach. The ride itself was lovely, with a last great streak of rose sweeping across the western sunset sky as I headed toward A1A. There wasn’t a lot of traffic so I moved right along. But by the time I parked at the Fort Lauderdale beach, it already was night.
I had thought I might leave my car and go walking with the crowds a bit farther north along the beach, all the people clustered by the bars and restaurants and hotels. I didn’t. Because I happened to park near a large old pine tree growing among the coconut palms and, as I stood admiring it in the pale light, I noticed a full moon behind its branches. The pine needles poked in silhouette into the moon’s silver face. The moonlight looked like a gentle shimmering wash across the sea, its reflections shifting as the waves swelled and rolled and broke apart on the shore. It was beautiful and I couldn’t bring myself to wander. So I sat on the sea wall for quite a while, just watching. A group of folks on the beach were barbecuing something that smelled very, very good. Maybe chicken or ribs. I wasn’t sure. Finally, my own hunger made me leave, not for barbecue but for takeout pasta at my favorite Italian place. As I drove away from the beach, I felt refreshed somehow. My little private moment with the pine tree and the moon and the ocean seemed to me a good way to welcome spring. The winter may have passed by before I knew it, but I was glad this new season was here.
posted by LauderBLOGGER at 10:02 AM
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