Wednesday April 20 2016  THE FRAGRANCE OF SPRING

I smelled it today, the pungent fragrance of early spring.  It is the smell of warming earth after a rain that releases the spores in the damp earth.  It is what some people refer to as the smell of rain.  I decided to look it up after writing the above sentence, so I could better explain what it is that is happening to cause that fresh smell.

http://science.howstuffworks.com/

“Most people notice a distinctive smell in the air after it rains. It’s frequently linked with spring, as the smell of fresh cut grass is associated with summer. You’ll find it in a lot of poetry and also on many inspirational lists of things to be happy about. But what causes it?

As it turns out, the smells people associate with rainstorms can be caused by a number of things. One of the more pleasant rain smells, the one we often notice in the woods, is actually caused by bacteria!  Actinomycetes, a type of filamentous bacteria, grow in soil when conditions are damp and warm. When the soil dries out, the bacteria produces spores in the soil. The wetness and force of rainfall kick these tiny spores up into the air where the moisture after a rain acts as an aerosol (just like an aerosol air freshener).  The moist air easily carries the spores to us so we breathe them in.  These spores have a distinctive, earthy smell we often associate with rainfall. The bacteria is extremely common and can be found in areas all over the world, which accounts for the universality of this sweet “after-the-rain” smell. Since the bacteria thrives in moist soil but releases the spores once the soil dries out, the smell is most acute after a rain that follows a dry spell, although you’ll notice it to some degree after most rainstorms.”

I figured if I tried to explain it some might think I was making it up.  All I know is that after a rainfall I always open the bathroom window and inhale the pleasant smell that permeates our wooded area that surrounds us.  When I walked outside yesterday morning I noticed how dry and hard the soil was.  I could see little tips trying to break the hard crust of soil but without much luck.  Shortly after I came inside the house it began to rain and it rained constantly all day and part of the night.  It was the soft, slow, gentle rain that the earth laps up greedily.  There was virtually no run-off.  By morning the shoots had pushed up and with the warmth of the sun and the soaked moist earth they are now quite impressive after just one day.  So maybe I spoke too soon when I said we are still experiencing winter.  Yeah!!!!  I had my window rolled down this afternoon when I was driving home from the library and that is when I had my first whiff of spring.  And…then I saw my first robin.  We always look for the return of the robin to signify that spring is around the corner.  I get excited about this time thinking about what to plant in my circle planter.  Last year Dave planted nasturtiums and we had an abundance of blooms until the first freeze.  If they come up by seed this year we may let them have another round at proving themselves.  My all-time favorite flower to plant there is the zinnia.  They always have prolific, vivid, colorful blooms all summer.  Last year I put in some perennials and it appears that some of them have survived over the winter.  The problem is, I can’t remember all that I planted there.  I know a couple of the plants were white daisy bushes but I cannot remember the others.  Oh well, I guess I’ll just wait and see and be surprised all over again.

This is one of my favorite times of the year (mainly because each season is my favorite when it comes) and regardless how many springs I have lived here, each one is new and fresh and anticipated with joy.  I think I must have taken my attitude after my mom because I always remember her looking forward to whatever season was impending.  It makes for a very enjoyable life.

WAKING SLOWLY

By Kathleen Martens

April 20, 2016.

Pungent fragrance of dancing spores,

Set free with heaven’s bounty,

As warmth of sun teases the earth

Tickling and becoming flouncy.

Offering beauty in quiet repose,

Delighting senses to come alive.

Experiencing the miracle of new growth

As nature begins to thrive.

And tiny buds mysteriously appear

Amidst the branches of the oak.

Waking slowly from slumbering rest

Spring has now awoke.

In this area of Wisconsin we usually wait until Mother’s Day weekend to plant our flowers and to begin setting out vegetables.  This year it may need to go one week past Mother’s day since the second Sunday is on May 8^th.  That may be a bit early yet.  Plants such as geraniums and tomatoes need to have nights above 55 degrees before setting out.  After today I am getting the “bug” to hurry up and have spring get here.  Maybe because I have already enjoyed three weeks of spring in several different states.

Thank You Lord for the beautiful seasons that You have designed.

Thank You God for the Robin I saw today!

Thank You too for the poem I wrote today.  I like it!

Thank You God that you have given me eyes to see all the wonder you place on my path every single day.

Thank You God that I too FEEL THE BEAUTY THAT SURROUNDS ME.

Thank You Lord for my refrigerator.

Thank You for sweet potatoes.

Thank You for warm water to shower in.

Thank You for my washing machine and my dryer.

Thank You for the aroma of the earth after a spring rain.  It reminds me of You.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.  I HOPE YOU TOO TAKE TIME TO ENJOY ALL THE BEAUTY THAT GOD PLACES IN YOUR PART OF THE WORLD.  STOP AND TAKE TIME TO REALLY SEE WHAT IS AROUND YOU.