In the pastures, the cows and calves lay on their sides, soaking up the sun, while birds flitted busily from tree to tree;
The last of the ice has melted from the road and after a winter of huddling by the fire, I'm wanting to do everything -- reorganize drawers and closets, polish silver, clean up the winter-weary garden, finish the unfinished projects, and start some new ones.
Outside, I see that the birds are beginning to pair up and check out the empty birdhouses.
Which leads me to wonder . . . at one time did humans, like birds and most wild things, give birth mainly in the Spring? It makes sense -- food and warmth would be more abundant making a better environment for a newborn.
So when I begin to think about Spring cleaning, is is a primal memory stirring? Am I reenacting prehistoric nesting urges?
21 comments:
I know that feeling well and perhaps you're right that such deep urges come from our basic instincts. I just hope I get a rush soon - the house could do with some Spring Cleaning!
It looks like your spring is really coming! Spring cleaning is also in my blood at this moment. I try to do one or two cupboards every week.
I am surprised to discover clothes I never wear anymore and books I haven't read and won't read for they are boring or too difficult.Yesterday I also left the back door and front one open. The weather was lovely. The house gets so stuffy after a long winter.
I like thoughts like that.
I think we are governed more by atavistic instincts than we imagine, and I would not be the least bit surprised to know that humans had mating and birthing seasons just like other animals.
Exactly what we were doing here yesterday. Pruning hedges, hauling branches to the back woods, and contemplating....LOTS of contemplating....about projects we plan to "hatch" this year...the primeval rhythms are definitely in the air! And that moon last night simply added to the mix!
Elora
Even though we're out and about during the winter months, I feel it's still almost like we're in hibernation, so nice, warm sunny days come and we dig into many activities to get back on track again.
I've enjoyed the past several days here, mainly doing outside work that can be done this early in the season. I hope Old Man Winter is gone, gone, gone, but I doubt it, but whatever comes our way now sure won't last long.
There's just something about opening up doors and windows that gets me excited and motivated. All that fresh air coming into the house does make you want to do some spring cleaning. I'm ready to move the winter clothes out of the closet too.
on the other hand...primal man is calling me out to the woods...
Polish silver? Have you considered an intervention??
Heralds spring, pussy willow and blue skies, they make my heart sing!
I had the most wonderful imaginary journey through your latest blog posts, thank you!
What an interesting thought! It makes sense, I certainly wouldn't be surprised. The warmth and sunlight certainly triggers that same burst of energy and motivation in me. These last few days I've been seized by the desire to move things around, paint a room, dig something up, etc..
That is something to consider. The cleaning out bug has hit me too. I checked for blooms yesterday and saw the tiniest of buds on my cherry trees and big ol bloom on my magnolia bush.
I am left wondering if you didn't jinx all of us by moving that snow shovel, though. You might want to consider putting it back on the front porch!
Sigh, that's an urge I never get. My urge is more like "gaaaa, this place is a sty and even I can't stand it any more." Thankfully, it doesn't come very often.
I'm with you on your theory about our basic instincts, Vicki.
And I too feel that spring cleaning urge creeping up on me. This is a spring that I'm thinking a lot of extra "stuff" will find a new home. I'm ready to pare down and clear out (I "think")
An interesting thought that we too may have given birth in spring. I love the pussy willows and your photos are stunning. You may check your library for River Town, some other blogger friends did and found it there. It's a good read.--Inger
Oh yes, yes, yes, spring births are very important. It gives the babies a good start. Like you I feel the urge to sweep the house clean. We had lovely weather yesterday too and I also noticed the birds becoming more active.
Interestingly my cat, Millie, also brought in two large wadges of nesting material!
I think humans probably breed and have always bred at any time during the year. We, alone in the animal kingdom, don't 'come into season', do we. Or do we?
All the same, I wish Spring would get a move on.
I am enjoying this wonderful warmth as well. Ordering my seeds (late as usual). Thinking about my garden. I hope this is not going to tempt my plants to start flowering too early though. Beautiful photos!
Spring in the air after all the snow.. the exremes must be amazing. Colour returns and energizes - and here I am feeling lazy and listless in the last of the summer heat.
Last weekend, when we still had snow on the ground, I saw so many robins. I thought what optimists they were. Today, I have the windows open, and I'm ready to start planting!
Spring is when everything seems possible!
I see that quite few of you feel that primal urge -- including Brian who feels the urge to be out of the way of all that furniture moving.
Jean, you crack me up! But I used to help my grandmother clean silver and I kind of enjoy it.
Hmmm-something to think about for sure. I'm hoping our spring lasts : )
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