Day 2195 Signs of Spring

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It may still be cold outside, but inside, spring is already in bloom. My outdoor plants have not only survived the winter indoors, they’re thriving and even beginning to blossom. They won’t be able to go back outside for a few more months, but I appreciate these reminders of warm weather right here in my living room.

It’s tough when the large outdoor plantings all need a place to spend the winter. They’re really too big for my house, but I make room for them anyway. Tim has asked if we could just let at least one of them die, but he doesn’t push it when I insist on keeping them.

For everyone with forsythia in your yard, this is your reminder: go out, trim a few branches, place them in a vase, and watch them bloom. Sometimes we need to nudge spring along a little. Let’s face it, those bright yellow blossoms are cheerful reminders that warmer days are coming.

More cat news, she’s now sleeping on the couch… yay! She’s also spending time in the main living areas and no longer runs to hide when we come down the stairs. Each small step forward is worth celebrating. I can’t imagine how difficult her life must have been to make her so afraid of the world, living outside alone for two years, then being placed in a shelter cage for almost another year. Given all that, she’s made incredible strides in learning to relax, trust, and realize she is now the queen of this castle.

I’ve never rescued a cat before. I’ve mostly had kittens, some who grew into amazing cats, others who were a bit more challenging, but our little rescue has shown me firsthand what patience, consistency, and lots of love can do. Tim and I talk about her like she’s our newborn baby, watching for every new milestone and delighting in her every move. We've bought dozens of toys for her, beds, treats and anything under the sun we think she'd like. I placed a blanket on a shelf in front of a south-facing window, hoping she’ll jump up to soak in the sunshine, what cat wouldn't like that??

Maybe by spring she’ll be blooming right along with the season. And until the real warmth arrives, we’ll keep nurturing these small signs of growth, both in our home and in our hearts. I still don't love her name....but hoping once she shows her personality a bit more, one will reveal itself to us. 

“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” ~ Hal Borland