For some reason, for me, both spring and fall always seem like the start of a new year. The changing seasons equate to changes in our lives.
In my mind, summer seems to drift into fall, and
winter seems to drift into spring. Like the tides, winter teases us by
splashing up on the shores of spring. Just when we dip our toes at the edge of
spring warmth, the tide surges. Cold rushes back in. We wait with anticipation
for a quick retreat, so we can feel the warm sand between our toes and walk the
beach without hugging ourselves against a strong cold wind.
Think how boring stories would be if everyone was
perfect and got along and achieved their dreams with no effort. Actually, as
much as I hate conflict, I have to admit life, in general, would be boring if
we didn’t have to challenge ourselves.
And the same would hold true if we had no change of
season. No heat that gave away to beautiful, sunny, cool days and colorful
leaves. No bare trees that gave us a clearer view on now vivid blue, fall into
winter skies. No blanketing of that white stuff (that yes, we have to shovel,)
but when it falls it brings with it a serene blanket to makes us feel cozy and
warm (as long as the heat works or a fireplace is roaring.) No retreating of
layers of snow and ice, to expose a brown lawn that will soon turn green and
lush and sprout a few weedy, yellow dandelions to add new color to our world.
No cool nights moving in on still warm, but not too hot, days.
Trees turning from a continuum of green to an array of
colors: yellow, orange, red, purple. And then the winds pour in and rip the
leaves from branches to scatter them about. The green lawns are covered in
those leaves, which we rake into piles, and watch dogs run through them, or
kids jump into them until they are covered in a soft blanket provided by
nature. And just when the landscape is brown and boring, the snow returns to
blanket us in pristine white.
Giving our characters, challenges, tests, reasons to second guess their view of the world, a need to ditch a plan and devise another to solve a problem—all those things make our characters and stories interesting. Just as the change of season both challenge us and give comfort, our characters, too, need challenges to make the reward at the end—LOVE— that much more precious.
So, looking at the change of season as part of the
continuum that leads to a new year, keeps us on our toes, gives us new
challenges, and brings new delight.
Happy
New Year, Spring!
Disclaimer:
this opinion piece is written from the point of view of someone who lives in
the Northeast in the USA. And yes, I face challenges, in that in the dead of
winter, I do wish I could travel to visit my friends in the south. And in the
heat of summer, I wish I could cross the border and travel to the northern part
of Canada. Here’s to embracing challenges and what we learn from them.
What
is your favorite season?
Starlight
Grille ~ Book 1
Two
lives, one legacy—the lure of Parkers Point
One Runs From …
Inheriting
his grandfather’s estate on the rocky point in Serenity Harbor, Maine is the
perfect escape from the biggest professional disaster of Grayson Mann’s life.
Will distance and space help Gray heal old family and professional wounds
enough to open his heart to love?
One Runs Toward …
Lauralee
Adler struggles to save the family art gallery as she watches her aunt succumb
to Alzheimer’s. Returning to the small coastal town is payment for the kindness
that saved her life and soul. Now she’s on a quest to find her father. Will
this trip home help her learn to trust and finally convince her she can truly
belong for the first time in her life?
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Parkers-Point-Serenity-Starlight-ebook/dp/B0743NVCC6/
Books2Read
~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~
Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and
spicy romances and contemporary westerns from the mountains of Colorado to the
shores of Maine.
Author of the Starlight Grille
series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short
romances for Woman’s World magazine.
Her new novella, The Love Left Behind, will release in late fall, 2020.
SOCIAL MEDIA
LINKS:
Author website: www.delsoralowe.com
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/community/
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Books2Read Author page: https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe
Instagram: #delsoralowe / https://www.instagram.com/delsoralowe/
PHOTO CREDITS:
New Year: new
years eve clipart - Clip Art Library (clipart-library.com)
Beach: Free
Images Of The Beach, Download Free Images Of The Beach png images, Free
ClipArts on Clipart Library (clipart-library.com)
Sun and Storm Clouds: Free Images Of The
Beach, Download Free Images Of The Beach png images, Free ClipArts on Clipart
Library (clipart-library.com)
Change of Season: Free Four Seasons
Cliparts, Download Free Four Seasons Cliparts png images, Free ClipArts on
Clipart Library (clipart-library.com)
Spring Fever: free
clip art new spring - Google Search
11 comments:
Happy New Year, Spring to you also, Delsora. I'm in Portland, OR so a bit south of where you are in Maine. I also enjoy the seasons. They are changing a bit here...winter and summers are longer and fall and spring are shorter. I think my favorite co-season is winter/spring. Here that would now be mid-January to mid-March. Snow, ice which means Cold, rain, wind days are now mixed up with bright sunny days with temperatures in the 50's and 60's so Warm. I'd rather have a short summer or go back to the days when the temperatures in the 90's and 100's were in August and few in number. I love my rainy grey days!
Lovely post, Delsora. My favorite season is summer, because it's the best time to travel here in Alaska. We can go hiking, camping, and so on to enjoy our beautiful scenery.
Judith - I totally agree. Used to be (in the good old days - okay that means for me 20 years ago) We had lovely summers in Maine, and I got hot (over 90) for a few days in August. Last year, we had 90s in June. Unacceptable, as far as I'm concerned :-) I used to never use air conditioning when I moved here in the 70s. Now the air conditioner runs at least half the year. Our seasons aren't as distinct anymore. Sad. I love those low-to-mid 60s days with the sun glowing bright!
Lynn- so glad you could stop by. One place I have never been to is Alaska - on my dream-trip list. I know several people who have worked in Alaska and loved it- most doing environmental type of work. Someday! Enjoy your summer - it is on its way!
May is my favorite month here in Oregon. That's when the rhododendrons are in bloom and everything is green. I love the new greens of spring in their myriad shades. I drive around just looking at the blooming flowers and trees and rejoicing that we've made it past another winter.
This is the first year we've lived in Paradise, CA, so each season has been different from Bend, OR. I think my favorite so far is late winter, February/early March.
So many different bushes and trees and blues have bloomed. One starts and when it is almost done the next one blooms. Right now I have a Tulip Tree, red bud bush, and two lavender bushes. Also, daffodils and Hyacinths.
I wonder what actual spring will bring?
Nice blog post.
Barb - when I lived in Washington, D.C>, May was my favorite. Before the big heat hit (although nowadays, it hits earlier,) but the azaleas and rhodies - yes, so beautiful.
Diane - sounds so beautiful. The fun thing about the first year in a new house and new state - all the surprises from each season. Enjoy the next round of discoveries.
Lovely post. Spring is just starting in SW Washington state. I have a few buds and sprigs out. I think they must jump back in every few days when we get a cold snap. Love all the seasons.
Cari - I cannot wait to see buds. Usually, another month up here in the NE. Enjoy the popping up of spring!
Whoops, helps if I hit the right letter - I'm getting tired, Dari not Cari :-)
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