Spring is in the air and the seasonal intoxication that comes with it. The onset of every season engages each of my senses uniquely with the surroundings. Right now, spring weather brings more than eye candy in the form of greenery and flowers. The scents of the tree blossoms and rainfall are tantalizing enough to want to bottle. The vibrant colors that replace the drab and monotonous tones of winter are a visual welcome. I love waking up to singing birds outside my bedroom window.
When spring passes the baton to the hot summer months, a pool plunge is synonymous with the season. The sound of chirping frogs that are out of sight is a summertime lullaby. Biting into a sun-ripened tomato plucked from the vine is as sweet tasting as a melting popsicle. The tropical scents of sunscreen or fireworks encapsulate summertime.
In a flash, the green trees morph into a kaleidoscope of hues. They hold on as long as they can before falling to the ground, where they become the crunching sound indicative of autumn. Swimsuits get traded for sweaters with the fading warmth of the sun that hangs lower each day. Pumpkin spice everything appears in stores, on menus, and as decor. The excitement of vacations is replaced with the anticipation of the holidays.
Ironically, I’ve found the remedy for holiday hangovers is seasonal intoxication. The quietness of winter is restorative. White blankets of snow and crisp fresh air have a cleansing quality. The lack of color, shortness of the days, and infrequency of seeing people outside get us excited for the transition into spring. The absence of sensory stimulation leaves a craving for contrast.
Delight in the sweet scent of the air, the warming of days, and the promise of renewed life.
