| Blog Entry - Saturday, March 1st, 2008 | Add / Read (1) |
In an effort to be less exhausted all the time, I went out for a run this morning. It was very short, and at least half walk, as I continue to recover from the evil flu, but it did give me some energy (which I am now about to put wholeheartedly into the thesis that has to be done in 2 weeks). It also gave me the opportunity to do a little thinking and a little observing - and appreciating. We'll start with the observing. I know that in the past I've bad-mouthed and complained about Texas on more than one occasion. This morning's run through the neighborhood reminded me that spring in Texas can be quite lovely. The azaleas of pink, white, purple, rose, and red were huge and overflowing - covering the street with color. Planters and bed were bubbling with brightly colored cyclamen, impatiens, and pansies, just brought home from the nursery. Two magnificent magnolias stood stately and purple (the early magnolias are purple and white, the bigger ones with the huge green leaves are a cream color, and bloom later). Purple fuzz covered the limbs of the not-aptly named red buds. At my own house and a few others, the over-enthusiastic hibiscus and lantana bloomed yellow, pink, red, and purple - they don't care what month or season it is. A few houses, where I suspected transplanted Yankees like me live, had flowers that are more-traditional to spring in the northern climes - daffodils, alyssum, iris. The streets, cars, and sidewalks are covered with the yellow dust from the few oaks that lose their leaves and are now covered with the fuzzy pollen producers. The greening lawns contrast with the brown leaves of those trees that held on all winter and are just now dropping their last leaves. With a lovely 72 or so degrees, not so much humidity (for Houston, anyway), and plenty of sun, it felt like spring.
Once it feels like spring, though, that reminds me that spring always seems to mean changes. New growth, getting rid of the things that don't work. Looking for things to be hopeful and excited and enthusiastic about. I'll say that I expect all of this to be on my horizon, although at the moment I have to turn back to the thesis and focus - I'll put all my enthusiasm there for the moment. Enthusiasm used grows instead of dissipates, right?
We voted early this week and were pleased to see the long lines, even as the polls were getting ready to close. A teacher at my school even organized a bus ride for all the juniors and seniors who were old enough, wanted to vote, and had no other way to get to the polling place. The election process offers another change about which to be hopeful.
Author: Libby Ingrassia
Posted at: 09:49:05 AM
