This Winter has been a particularly snowy one for us. Well, really January and February were. I recall thinking, in December, how mild the Winter was and how we would have plenty of firewood. Perhaps, I jinxed us, but we received a number of storms that dumped more than a foot of snow at a time. It gets harder to shovel the snow as the season winds on. Usually, there are some warm days that help the snow settle a bit .... snow banks get a bit shorter.
This year, I have really become aware of the cardinals. It happened a week or so ago, when it seemed like a few more big snow storms were taking us in their sites. On morning, I opened the door to let the cat out and it hit me right in the face. The world had exploded into cheery cardinal song, with calls and songs, surrounding me. I could hear calls in every direction.
Cardinals and chickadees are year-round residents for us. While the chickadees will sing their songs in the worst of the winter, often in the midst of storms, I don't remember ever hearing the cardinals. I have seen them silently huddled in trees, or flitting to a feeder for a snack.
In some nature cultures, the cardinal is the daughter of the sun. For me, this is particularly significant this year. I have taken the cardinals as the messengers, carrying Spring in their songs, singing it back to us. I have heard their song every day since that one. The forecast is starting to show signs that the weather is turning. I am watching the maples for signs that it is time to tap.
Spring is here! And, had I not started down this MooseBoots path, had I not begun trying to reconnect with the Earth, I would not be so filled with joy at hearing this beautiful song.
May your day be filled with beauty and warmth.
