It's a beautiful day here in California. The sun is out. The weather is warm. Spring has sprung. Most of the country might still be in the depths of winter. Maybe some of have snow on the ground, or the cold winter winds are cruelly blowing back the inviting days of spring. When I lived in the midwest, March was the hardest month. We would get through February and expect March would bring a tide of snowdrops and crocuses. March always failed to deliver even when the Punxsutawney Phil predicted the winter's end. It was heartbreaking to battle through the snow, ice, and bitter wind only for March to offer nothing different and a big indifferent shoulder shrug.

It was March that always put me over the edge. The sadness would take over like a dark cloud rumbling in from the west. After years of March blues, I moved west to California, and here I am today looking out on a perfect spring day. With piles of work on my desk to last me weeks and anxiety building, I took a break today to step inside and take in the flowers blooming. It didn't seem right to step outside and take a break. It seemed like I was wasting precious time but I enjoyed the moment.

When did enjoying our lives, and stopping to take in the beauty around us become a waste of time? It took me years to get here to California and many hard winters to provide this moment. It was about time we enjoy it, take it in and perhaps even memorialize the moment on paper.

For all still living in the depths of winter, the painting of the flowers is for you. For all of us who can get outside today and take in the beauty of spring, go and enjoy.

Until tomorrow, Winter Blues and Spring Hues.

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