My friend Marge told me recently, that taking a morning walk allows me the luxury of enjoying the best part of the day, because “people are quiet, birds are vocal and traffic is limited” – that statement was certainly true this morning when there was a certain peace and stillness, especially since so many of the schools are on break, or people are away on vacation.

Yesterday it was so rainy … and it was Monday to boot – what a way to start the week off, and that soaking rain put a kibosh on my walk.

But, today was bright and sunny, and all was right with the world … in my opinion, anyway.

The sun broke through the clouds quickly and had me stepping out earlier than usual, thereby netting a few extra steps onto today’s tally. The sun’s powerful rays helped to put a spin on the ordinary, making them more beautiful.  For example, I’m not particularly enamored by starlings, but their sweet song was filling the quiet morn, and every so often, I’d catch a glimpse of their iridescent plumage as they flitted from tree to tree.  Likewise, a pair of mallard drakes were floating companionably in the Ecorse Creek, their beautiful teal heads glinting when a sunbeam hit at just the right angle.

There was only the occasional car, so I could let my guard down a bit. I have to be careful, or I might get mowed over … sometimes I think the sun obliterates my presence and someone might back out of the driveway without looking first.  With so many people using remote vehicle starters now, I have to ensure the driver isn’t already in the vehicle, fiddling with the radio, or maybe texting, and otherwise distracted, so they don’t see me as I near them.  Sometimes, the plume of exhaust is from an empty car, and the vehicle’s owner is still inside kissing their spouse and gulping down the rest of their coffee, but other times … who knows?

There were no pretty pastel chalk renderings along the way today, because the artists were cooped up in the house most of yesterday due to the high winds and rain. They were no doubt driving their moms insane, each fueled on a sugar high from jelly beans or chocolate, plus wound up from all that extra sleep, since there is no school this week.

The streets and sidewalks were still muddy from the rain, and, what cement wasn’t streaked with dirt and grime, was full of tree debris, which I now think are maple flowers after Googling images of “tree dander”.

The grass is really greening up from all that rain, and, I’m ashamed to say that I already have weeds that are taller than the grass. I wish it had stayed colder for a little while longer, so that the weeds would have stayed below the ground instead of sneaking out and ruining the landscape; then, all too soon, the dandelions will be dotting our lawns.  Spring does have its challenges sometimes, doesn’t it?  But, it also has its own beauty and welcoming sounds  as well – I think I’d rather hear the lawn mower over the snow blower any day.

On my way home, I saw a magnolia tree so laden with buds, that I am standing by to take a picture, once the blossoms come out. I’ll share it with the world … or at least the readers of this blog anyway.

[Today’s photo, entitled “Spring” is from artist pal Maggie Rust.]