Spring in the Big Bend of Florida is beautiful and covered in pollen. But my Merlin app is keeping me company with my box of tissues and Claritin popping. Friday morning there were Ruby Crowned Kinglets and White Eyed Vireos in my yard! What tops that???
Thank you so much for the Diane Seuss! I’m in the process of applying to be associate editor at an online poetry publication, and the exact sentiment she expresses in that first part is basically the core of my cover letter: that I want to hear from working people, single mothers, anyone outside of the academic spin cycle whose doing interesting work (nothing against academia, per se; two-time beneficiary over here). The application is due tonight so coming across that interview passage was rather perfect.
As fellow resident of Central Ohio, my joyful spring includes visits to the Columbus Zoo to see Clementine, the orange-haired baby orangutan, Blooms & Butterflies at Franklin Park Conservatory, tonight’s Spring Equinox Sound Bath at the Columbus Museum of Art, cheering for the new Columbus Fury women's volleyball team, the awakening of forsythias, the return of strawberry chip ice cream at Graeter’s, anticipation of the solar eclipse, and driving with the sun roof open.
My joy is in my forthcoming collection, “In The Throes Of Beauty.” I’m really excited to see my second chapbook come to life. Spring was so eminent Saturday that I replaced our mailbox, albeit too high, but as I told my wife, if they don’t say anything, we’re good. I’m excited to read Diane Seuss’s book as well! It is in the rotation.
The mark of the true return of spring for me here in Upstate NY is wild foraging for ramps. I have a favorite spot near a local pond. It's a sloppy, muddy walk into the nearby woods, but then there are tens of thousands of wild leeks waiting to be carefully collected (only leaves, never bulbs) and nibbled. The flavor is sharp and green and fresh. I'll fill a couple of gallon ziplocs, bring them home and make soup and pesto and maybe a salad dressing.
Everything this spring seems early, so I went out this past weekend to check if the ramps were early, too. They weren't, and I found it weirdly comforting. Not everything is completely topsy turvy just yet. In a couple of weeks the first sharp shoots will be up it looks like, but in a month they'll be a riot of pure, oniony, woodsy joy and I'll be there.
Hi! Great post-I’m checking out all the links and yes, I’m a bird nerd too. Just Fyi Diane Seuss is being interviewed tomorrow. Tickets are free, event online. https://www.graywolfpress.org/books/modern-poetry
I’m on the verge of Spring break, which I will spend in the Rockies in Colorado where my folks live, a trip sandwiched in between seeing Dionne Warwick in a small suburban theater and Herbie Hancock at Symphony Center in Chicago. Two 83 year olds still bringing it strong.
Oh I feel so seen and understood reading this. The last few days I’ve had a bit more spring in my step returning from my morning walk. I replay my recordings from my Merlin app for my kids (who remain totally unimpressed as they affectionately dub me their “big bird nerd” 🐦🤓)
Carry on, fellow bird enthusiast.
P.S. I’m really hoping you might write some poems about those copper chested Robins and their feathered friends 🫶
You had me at Waxahatchee, whom I just recently discovered courtesy of a dear friend while we were mourning another dear friend. Yesyesyes for Tigers Blood and Saint Cloud!
i’m in NYC right now and so far spring is glorious. I went to Riverside park and took my shoes off to make contact with the sparse grass. Also I auditioned for and got the job of narrating the audio book of my upcoming memoir NEARLY DEPARTED so that’s my joy!
So much here I can't wait to dive into! Spring in Chicago is summer one day, snow the next (today). Finding reluctant joy in the last days of big sweaters and fleece-lined leggings, and the promise of more sun as the days get longer. Thank you as always for sharing the good stuff!!
Spring in the Big Bend of Florida is beautiful and covered in pollen. But my Merlin app is keeping me company with my box of tissues and Claritin popping. Friday morning there were Ruby Crowned Kinglets and White Eyed Vireos in my yard! What tops that???
Amazing. Will I be looking them up so I can hear their calls? You know I will.
I have yet to see it, but based on the photos the Ruby Crowned Kinglet is a Disney borb of a bird. Teeny tiny and round with a big voice. I'm in love.
Thank you so much for the Diane Seuss! I’m in the process of applying to be associate editor at an online poetry publication, and the exact sentiment she expresses in that first part is basically the core of my cover letter: that I want to hear from working people, single mothers, anyone outside of the academic spin cycle whose doing interesting work (nothing against academia, per se; two-time beneficiary over here). The application is due tonight so coming across that interview passage was rather perfect.
I’m glad you have cedar waxings in Ohio!
Sending you all the good application juju, Marko!
As fellow resident of Central Ohio, my joyful spring includes visits to the Columbus Zoo to see Clementine, the orange-haired baby orangutan, Blooms & Butterflies at Franklin Park Conservatory, tonight’s Spring Equinox Sound Bath at the Columbus Museum of Art, cheering for the new Columbus Fury women's volleyball team, the awakening of forsythias, the return of strawberry chip ice cream at Graeter’s, anticipation of the solar eclipse, and driving with the sun roof open.
Yes to all of this! I drive so rarely these days, but when it’s even somewhat nice out, the sunroof is a must. ☀️
My joy is in my forthcoming collection, “In The Throes Of Beauty.” I’m really excited to see my second chapbook come to life. Spring was so eminent Saturday that I replaced our mailbox, albeit too high, but as I told my wife, if they don’t say anything, we’re good. I’m excited to read Diane Seuss’s book as well! It is in the rotation.
Congrats on the chapbook, Kevin!
The mark of the true return of spring for me here in Upstate NY is wild foraging for ramps. I have a favorite spot near a local pond. It's a sloppy, muddy walk into the nearby woods, but then there are tens of thousands of wild leeks waiting to be carefully collected (only leaves, never bulbs) and nibbled. The flavor is sharp and green and fresh. I'll fill a couple of gallon ziplocs, bring them home and make soup and pesto and maybe a salad dressing.
Everything this spring seems early, so I went out this past weekend to check if the ramps were early, too. They weren't, and I found it weirdly comforting. Not everything is completely topsy turvy just yet. In a couple of weeks the first sharp shoots will be up it looks like, but in a month they'll be a riot of pure, oniony, woodsy joy and I'll be there.
"Not everything is completely topsy turvy just yet"--!!! May the ramps take their sweet time. Thanks for this, Asha. x
Hi! Great post-I’m checking out all the links and yes, I’m a bird nerd too. Just Fyi Diane Seuss is being interviewed tomorrow. Tickets are free, event online. https://www.graywolfpress.org/books/modern-poetry
Thanks, Joanell! That should be a good one.
I’m on the verge of Spring break, which I will spend in the Rockies in Colorado where my folks live, a trip sandwiched in between seeing Dionne Warwick in a small suburban theater and Herbie Hancock at Symphony Center in Chicago. Two 83 year olds still bringing it strong.
This sounds EPIC. I'll have to live vicariously through you (and those 83-year-olds).
Oh I feel so seen and understood reading this. The last few days I’ve had a bit more spring in my step returning from my morning walk. I replay my recordings from my Merlin app for my kids (who remain totally unimpressed as they affectionately dub me their “big bird nerd” 🐦🤓)
Carry on, fellow bird enthusiast.
P.S. I’m really hoping you might write some poems about those copper chested Robins and their feathered friends 🫶
You had me at Waxahatchee, whom I just recently discovered courtesy of a dear friend while we were mourning another dear friend. Yesyesyes for Tigers Blood and Saint Cloud!
Then Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service!
Lyz Lenz and This American Ex-Wife
The Big Lebowski
to look into:
World Parth
Diane Seuss
Thank you for the post!!
i’m in NYC right now and so far spring is glorious. I went to Riverside park and took my shoes off to make contact with the sparse grass. Also I auditioned for and got the job of narrating the audio book of my upcoming memoir NEARLY DEPARTED so that’s my joy!
So much here I can't wait to dive into! Spring in Chicago is summer one day, snow the next (today). Finding reluctant joy in the last days of big sweaters and fleece-lined leggings, and the promise of more sun as the days get longer. Thank you as always for sharing the good stuff!!