Celebrating Nicholas' 15th birthday. He's wearing his new LaCrosse gloves in this photo. He and his team won the championship.
When the temperature hit 74 degrees in St. Louis, as it did on Saturday, February 11th, residents came outside to play. As I walked the two mile trail in the park, I noticed young people wearing shorts, old folks shedding coats, and people of all ages wearing sneakers in every neon and vibrant color imaginable... a rainbow-hued eruption on the pavement.
Joggers, runners, walkers, moms pushing pudgy babies in strollers, grandpas sitting on benches catching their breath, grandmas hoofing it at a clip, then pausing to sit a spell and people watch.
Old dogs lollygagging with their owners, puppies tugging leashes darting left and right. I counted at least two dozen different breeds, from yapping terriers to hulking hounds, loping German Shepherds, and as many cute dogs as there were homely mutts pausing to sniff one another, the promises of a new encounter, or a reminder of an old tail wagger who previously piddled there. The bells of St. Bernadette pealed across the grounds at 3:30 as they do on the half hour all day long. But on this day it was different. There was a feel in the air that rippled with excitement.
The world awakened; those hibernating emerged. Children chased one another, families picnicked on hillsides, and multi generations filled the frisbee "golf" course. Laughter rang out, people smiled and greeted one another.
I walked at my own clip, as more and more young whippersnappers passed me by. I smelled the loamy earth, listened to the rustle in the underbrush, and paused to see if a squirrel was scampering. What a delight to discover a flock of cardinals flitting in the brush. Males in their regal red, and females fluttering to and fro brought a smile and a feeling of gratitude.
I hope you had a good weekend, too. My friends in the Northeast are snowed in, but it's a matter of weeks before the snow melt will bring forth crocuses and natures bounty.
11 comments:
Wow! Look at grown-up Nicholas! Congratulations to him on that championship.
Yesterday, during my driveway walk, I thought, "This smells like spring!" Surely we're not done with winter yet. We still have five weeks until official spring. Doesn't anybody listen to the groundhog?
I love your way with words. You have a gift of making your reader feel as if they are right there with you.
Great pic of you & Nicholas.
You are so right about Saturday! It was glorious and I saw some daylilies pushing up through the soil. My canine babies stayed out all day. You grandson is a handsome one! My Gavin is coming to stay for a month this summer and I am so excited. He will be 13 in June, last time he stayed that long he was 4.
Linda--Nicholas is a fine young man. It's been delightful seeing him grow up via your blog posts.
Lots of car washing and neighbors chatting on my street. Everyone was busy, and seemed happy to be enjoying the great weather. I need to go to a park so I can people watch folks younger than my generation.
My favorite line was about the rainbow-hued footwear.
Kids grow fast than we think of them. Congrats for Nichola's for his championship. Happy birthday wishes for him!
What a wonderfully vivid post, Linda! And you knew I'd have to read a post with UGA's theme song, right? :-)
What a handsome young man. And the weather was a delightful surprise Saturday.
Glad you got out for such a pleasant outing. We sat on deck with ice tea in the sunshine, but it was good. Cold and gray now again today.
This weather is kind of scaring me. We aren't supposed to have days like this in January and February!
Pat
www.patwahler.com
I enjoyed tagging along on your walk (via the written word). Spring will be here before we know it.
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