Full of Chinese from the local dining establishment, we decided a nice evening drive was in order - so off we "motored" through feild and vale - okay actually it was onto a gravel road near town - to see the spring sights, and listen to the frogs. Mais ouis, I said frogs - spring peepers to be precise. Oh okay science boy, that may not be the proper genus and whatever, but if you have enjoyed a spring on the prairies, then you know why we drove out, found a slough, turned off the car and just sat there - windows and sun roof open, the buzz of some early rising bees still sending out scouts to see what was in bloom, and listened to the chorus of peepers! A sound that in my mind, if it had a colour, would be brightest of green - that is how 'spring like' they are! I have never seen one - even as a kid, I'd sneak up to the edge of the water (read puddle, ditch, slough or dugout) and try to locate even one of this little singers. And although it was obvious to my ear, that this singing miracle frog was some where very near by, just when I was convinced this was going to be the lucky day I saw one in full song, they would all stop. Dead stop. Not a peep, not a reep, not a squeak - nuttin'. So finally, I think I gave up on trying to see one - I think that was last year. But I digress - as I tend to - the frogs were in fine voice tonight, and as we sat there, hubby said "I heard a meadowlark!".
Now over the years it is I who hear the first meadowlark, it is I who rushes into the house yelling in an excited tone that yes, yes, I heard the first one each spring! And this year? HA!!! I blame the noisy crazy robins, or the pair of overly vocal geese that at that exact moment chose to do a fly by honking like big-rigs overhead. My friends, in the spring of 2012 I was not first.
But perhaps there is some justice to hubby hearing that first series of strong, vibrant, fearlessly cheerful sound! So stricking with that brilliant yellow chest, and strong black v neck...sitting on fence posts or down in the tall grass no doubt doing their best Barry White to attract a mate. Isn't that what spring is all about? Rejuvenation? The joy of life - listen to the thrilling or dare say it optomistic call of spring birds - they really do seem to rise up to the challenge of performing, competing not only for territory but for mates and in my mind, for the right of being 'the first' of the season.
Is there a better way to cheer oneself than to share in the joy of first spring songs? Like the Psalm says, it "doth good like a medicine." And to me and to my darling husband, it see healing taking place every day, joy returning to our hearts - it's spring and the sun is shining, things are returning to normal, memories are growing fond and deep and we can again laugh and have fun together!
So without sounding like a big soppy mush, let me recommend a belly full of chop suey, a good travelling partner, and a slow drive in the evening sun where the destination is to sit quietly beside a feild and hear the sounds of pure joy. Frogs, meadowlarks, and all the spring creatures which I think tonight were sent specifically to encourage us to get on with life and not miss a single moment of joy!
Until we meet again .... joyful noise!
