Having grown up in New York, I have a precarious relationship with nature.  Despite the fact that we lived in a big city, I was raised in a neighborhood with lush green hedges, huge oak trees, and massive flower gardens … we always knew it was officially spring when we’d come home from school and see the gorgeous tulips that were suddenly in bloom.  In fact, now that I think of it, they were probably a nod to the Dutch heritage of the city.  

These days, here in Santa Barbara, we have nature all around us… but I often refer to “bad nature” (gopher holes, mice) or “good nature” (trees alive with fruit, flowers everywhere).  Clearly, I’m not a country girl.

Yesterday we had a break (“good nature”) from our horrible drought (“bad nature”)… it was just a small amount of rain in the scheme of things, nothing that will bring us back to the water levels we need.  But the sound of it was exciting, and this morning when we woke up, wow… what a delightful scene greeted us in the back yard. 

Look at all those peach blossoms that will turn into fruit in just a few months! The mint that I thought had long departed this world is back!  And lo and behold, the tulips are here, pink and glorious!  It all brings joy to this New Yorker’s heart.

Spring (and hopefully more rain) is on the way. 

Good nature!