Thanks...I Needed The Break

...and I don't mean break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar.  Finally, it's happened...for myself and others, it has come none too soon.  We made it, though it seemed like it would never occur.  There's still some doubt from time to time.  I feel confident in saying I'm pretty sure spring is setting in.  In some parts, the world has been coming back to life for quite some time now.  In places like where I live, the bastians of winter desperately try to hold on as long as they can...as is evident by the blast of several inches of snow within the past couple of days.

I had my ups and downs on the ice.  There he goes down again...and he gets right back up.  Quite the experience trying to traverse through mounds and drifts.  I did it, though.  I managed to get around...every day reminding myself it was another one closer to the time now at hand.  It was nice for the holidays, but I've had my fill.  With Easter upon us, let's clear the clouds and allow spring to bloom.  I've notice some stirring under bushes as flowers just begin to poke through.  It won't be long before my street is a floral display.

That is, once the lawns are cleaned up.  My building hires a service to come in and maintain the grounds.  It needs it desperately...or we need more snow.  Now that the white cover is gone; such a lovely sight...a yard filled with cigarette butts from ground floor tenants not using the ash bin.  Instead, they hang on the veranda and flick the filters into the grass.  I got to miss this beautiful picture last year.

A splash of color stands out more now near one of our local watering holes.  It's near my best friend's place in an area called NOTA; Neighborhood of the Arts...museums, art galleries, shops featuring hand made items.  It borders my Park Avenue Cafe Strip neighborhood.  Located right by The Bachelor's Forum, one of the city's gay bars, are three symbols erected honoring the efforts of Rochester's LGBT - lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered - community.

I was starting to go stir crazy.  Though I faithfully went out for at least one daily walk, I was still feeling cooped up.  The snow seemed to close in on everything and the cold kept you locked up tighter.  People came and went, but we're used to seeing a full house.  I tried having coffee in the morning on the balcony as much as I could tolerate, but many days, the weather forced me to retreat back indoors.

The little signs began to appear.  It wouldn't be long, but not soon enough.  Valentine chocolatiers began streaming to the corner candy store.  Even larger crowds would line up for Easter treats.  The snow would melt and leave such an 'earthy' shade of brown exposed...before it would snow and cover all with white once again.  There would be a ray or two of yellow in the sky and not the drab gray rolling in off the lake every day.  Temperatures would tease and rise to warm levels.  People come out of their homes and joggers run in shorts.  Tables and chairs begin to appear on the sidewalks at cafes.  Life.  It's been there laying low until given a reason to come awake.  It's finally started in my little corner of the world...and it's just getting going.

The annual Lilac Festival for the city is less than a month away.  Seneca Park Zoo gears up for another season of visitors.  Sports and music and fairs.  The huge Park Avenue Summer Festival...the entire city passes my door over the course of a weekend.  I'm ready for it all...rejuvenated, energized.  I once again prepare to take my post as I watch over my domain; from the main crossroads cafe to high above from my balcony.  I will be greeting the days and making sure each night is tucked in before mine ends.

As the season changes once again; a long stretch before the cold and winds return; we are given another new set of wonders to gaze upon.  As I take the time to appreciate all that surrounds me, I'm greeted by some sights from the past coming back to refresh the memories once again.  Sitting with coffee in hand; no long accompanied by a cigarette; looking down upon my street as it awakens, I notice some activity above my head.  I look in time to spy a blur of brown...little sparrow. One of the family from last spring is back...refurbishing their nest to move back in among the rafters.  If he's here, I wonder who's over there?  Another sparrow stands on the balcony railing looking at me.  He flits up and down, from the railing to a corner alcove where a pillar meets the roof overhang. In order to get a better look, the one leg wonder has to climb up onto the railing, three stories off the ground, with camera in hand.  At least I decided the other nest was too dangerous to get a closer picture of with nothing to hang onto.  I climbed around the pillar while I was on the railing and the other side is still vacant.

I sprinkled a little seed outside the new nest and spread some along the railing once I climbed down.  It's nothing fancy like the nice bird feeder I was given last year...the one a neighbor helped themselves to and stole.  I nailed a black, plastic bowl to the middle of the railing, between where the two nests are, and put seed in there.  It's not a 5 Star birdie bistro, but greasy spoon works when you're begging for a meal.

The wait has been long; the arrival is at hand.  The pace picks up; there's more to do.  Whenever you can find the time; it's all right there waiting for you.  Another new season takes hold with a new array of little things to appreciate.  We couldn't wait for it to get here.  Now, it's up to us to pause long enough to enjoy what we have...before we go wishing upon the following season to come flying in to take its place already.  That moment.  Create another memory to carry.  Here's another part of life that's yours for the taking.  So go ahead and take it.