Saturday Afternoon on the Pacific Coast

Hi!  I sit here in my living room in my rocking chair with some "Juke Box Hits" playing. The sun is playing tag with the fluffy, though grey clouds that also wreath the mountains. The air is fresh, I have the sliding glass doors halfway open and don't mind the rumble of traffic on the main-drag through town. That is not really any different from a rugged mountain river, don't you think? My computer tells me that the temperature is around 50F/10C. For some of you warmer climed folk that would be chilly, for some of you in the wintery areas that would be quite comfortable at the moment, especially knowing the only snow I can see is on the mountain top above 1000 meters or 3,000 feet. Indeed there is fresh snow on the mountain top and we only had light sprinklings of spring-like rain. The bulb flowers are blooming or preparing to... crucuses of course are earliest, but the daffodils are right there and I know the tulips and irises and hyacinths are there too in wait. The buds of the cherry trees are fit to bursting so I imagine the other flowering trees are waiting. The rhododendrons will wait a bit, I think though soon enough they will start and also the hardy roses which here seem to bloom year 'round. I bet the primroses or primula are out on their bleachers in front of the grocery stores and shops. They do add a nice feeling of Spring to the city. While the mountains are always furred in their green firs, cedars and other evergreens, the once more tan trees of the lower lands are now definitely taking on a greenish tinge though the leaves still are tucked in their own buds as comfortably as any tyke in their blanketed beds. It is a blessing to have an opportunity to write this to you sitting here in this rocking chair - given to me by my parents - the old family living room set and still comfortable - with a notebook computer on my lap and good music in my headphones. I wish you all peace and love, ~ Darrell