Have you ever noticed how spring brings on the “dripping” season in Michigan? It begins with the ting, ting, ting of ice and snow slowly melting. The first sight of grass, the smell of mud, and the possibility of temperatures over twenty, has you refusing to wear that winter coat. Next comes the plop, plop, plop of sap flowing into buckets from the maple trees. Knowing it is not quite time, you begin to plan that garden, craving to get out and clean the flower beds. Then you hear it, the ping, ping, ping of rain hitting the roof. A sound so unfamiliar that it wakes you up in the middle of the night and you look out the window just to make sure. Finally the drip, drip, drip from the car wash removes the remaining salt from your truck, even though two miles down the road it will be covered with mud, and you don’t even care.
As spring arrives, and you say goodbye to old man winter, think of it as a time to appreciate the sounds around you. From the dripping sounds, to birds chirping, and the putt putt from the John Deere 50 in the barn, all indicate a new beginning. This is the time to take a moment to breath and become refreshed. Take in the beautiful sun after a dark winter, open the windows to let in the fresh air, and take out the grill! The dripping season is the calm before the storm. Before spring break vacations, family Easter dinners, and Memorial day plans. Before the last few days of schools, the Fourth of July, and the Annual MMOGTA Tractor Show. Before the start of school and the leaves begin to fall. The clocks have been changed for spring forward but don’t drip away the time. Appreciate the sounds, sight, and smells of spring before they are gone.
