Tag: spring

February: The Longest Month

An island tree after a recent snowfall. Photo copyright Nathaniel Hammond
An island tree after a recent snowfall.
Photo copyright Nathaniel Hammond
There’s an old joke that February is the shortest month of the year because New Englanders couldn’t stand it to be one day longer. This year February has seemed particularly long–in the last week alone we’ve seen sub-zero temperatures, several light snowstorms, clear, sunny days, and a thunderstorm. But tomorrow the month finally comes to an end and we can welcome March and, perhaps, some early signs of spring.
Here on my small Maine island the deer are so desperate for food that they have devoured huge chunks of my holly bushes and I expect they are waiting ravenously for the first tulips to poke through the ground. That will be a while, however, as the snow drifts are still several feet high in the gardens. I can feel the mood around town lightening as the days continue to grow longer, the snowstorms grow lighter, and the sun shines more brightly. Today as I look out my office window, sunlight is breaking through the cloud cover and the sky is pale blue instead of gray. And on my early morning walk I heard a few birds chirping and actually spotted a robin. Spring is coming and my quiet island will awaken again.

Summer’s End

Tomorrow’s autumnal equinox marks the official end of summer and the beginning of  the beautiful fall season here in Maine.  Autumn in New England always seems like a time for reflection after a hedonistic summer of swimming, boating, hiking, and yes, lots of lobsters and pina coladas on the deck.  Today I’m thinking about the ways in which the changing seasons reflect the seasons of our lives — spring, with its youthful promise;  summer, when nature, and often our lives, reach their peak of beauty and activity; fall, when it’s dark by 3:30 PM, encouraging concentration on everything we need to accomplish; and winter, when life slows down–at least after the holidays–giving us a couple of months to focus on major projects and prepare for when the cycle of life begins again with the first crocus poking through the earth and the first robin sighting. It would be impossible for someone like me, with 12 generations of New England blood flowing through her veins, to live someplace where the seasons didn’t change.

But enough contemplation! Fall is terrific in Maine and the leaves are changing rapidly in the northern part of the state–about 1/3 of the way toward their peak color in Aroostook, Piscataquis, and Somerset Counties.  Follow the leaf-changing process or sign up for a weekly update through at least Oct. 17 at MaineFoliage.com.

At parksandlands.com you can learn about Ranger-led foliage hikes and canoe/kayak paddles at historic sites and state parks.  And coming right up on Sept. 28-30, check out the more than 60 events and activities planned for the Great Maine Outdoor Weekend, including hikes, canoe trips, trail walks, and bike rides at greatmaineoutdoorweekend.org.

For lots more information about fall in Maine and all there is to do, go to visitmaine.com.

Sorry, no photos this time. I’ve been busy at home with assignments, but will soon be out enjoying the foliage and sharing some pictures with you.  Meanwhile, enjoy the scarlet and golden days of autumn.