Kat, didn't know you were ill, hope you are better soon. Thanks for the picture. Here in Hawaii we don't have clearly defined seasons. They are here, but they're subtle. Also not nearly as many singing birds. I do miss spring and fall, though I am quite happy doing without winter and summer. I remember being in a reading room of Firestone library at Princeton one early spring, and the feel of that first warm breeze through the window was indescribable. I tried to put it into a poem once that I've mostly forgotten, but I do remember one line, about a bird's song: "'Each spring is the first!' she sings with joy." Sure does feel that way, every time.

One other thing to think about, along this line. On the island of Guam there are no birds. None. They've been killed off by the brown tree snakes, which have pretty much taken over the island; there is a big program here to prevent their gaining a foothold in Hawaii. I haven't been to Guam, but I can't imagine waking up in the morning without birdsong -- even pigeons and sparrows. Be well, Kat, and breathe the spring.

Aloha,
Mark