Can Spring Be Far Behind?…

“If winter comes, can spring be far behind?”
― Percy Bysshe Shelley, Ode to the West Wind

Have you ever wondered where the word ‘spring’ comes from?

Old English springan "to leap, burst forth, fly up; spread, grow"

“Spring”, referring to a season rather than the many other meanings of the word, first popped up in the 16th century.  Starting in the 14th century, this time of year was called “springing time” and then in the 15th century this got shortened to “spring-time”, and then further shortened in the 16th century to just “spring”.  The 14th century “springing time” came about in reference to plants “springing” from the ground and the like.  Before the season was called these things, it was called “Lent” in Old English.

The snow has gone, no hard frosts for a few days – Sunday and Monday were almost Spring-like.  Blue skies, no cold wind,  warm sunshine.  So I thought I would search for signs of Spring.

“It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want—oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!”
― Mark Twain

  The miniature daffodils bulbs in my kitchen burst into flower – making me smile with their bright cheery trumpets.

  As I walk past the reservoir the water is frozen except for a small ribbon in the middle – ducks and geese stand on the ice looking perplexed and bewildered.

As I walked the village I spied Snowdrops opening, shining white against the dark brown soil,  tiny harbingers of Spring.

The rose hips at the front of the house catching the sun – a little colour in an otherwise dreary garden.

Hazel catkins glow golden in the sunlight.

The back fields empty of sheep fold over one another in  plump cushions of grass, the old sheep trails meandering through.

Look closely at the elder bush, the first signs of leaves unfurling, the earliest of the trees to show their readiness for warmer weather.

A Blue Tit inspecting a nest box with a Robin looking on.

These are all good signs – and today I saw a sparrow with a beakful of nesting material – spring surely is on its way.  And just for good measure I have added this charming painting of Snowdrops – delightful!

Chickens in a Winter Garden - Lucy Grossmith - Heart to Art

“That is one good thing about this world...there are always sure to be more springs.”
― L.M. Montgomery