April in Alaska is Dreary

I should begin by saying, “Oops!” It’s obviously been a while since I was last motivated to write. ☺️ When I opened my blog program today, I found this all-but-finished blog post sitting in Drafts, simply waiting for someone to click “Send”. It’s been sitting here since, well … April. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Better late than never, right?

April in Alaska is admittedly not the prettiest month of the year, but since it is technically Spring, I can appreciate it for that alone.

Looking at the big picture; April brings forests of dull brown, leafless trees, large banks of dirty snow melting slowly into rivulets of muddy water and highway intersections that could probably stock fish.

Although its often dreary landscape tempts me towards depression most years, this year I find myself embracing April for its promise of good things to come. Dog sports trials are up and running (even though I’m not yet in any shape to participate).

Another sign that April is a sure prelude to spring; rising temperatures carry the first earthy scents of the forest floor, freshly freed from winter’s frozen grip. Willow trees are covered in fuzzy pussy-willow pods.

Sure, it smells like mud and musty dead leaves, but it gives people hope, raising spirits and invigorating the soul.

If you take the time to peer closely at the little things, and listen hard, April comes into closer focus. The green tips of an early crocus breaking ground in a neighbor’s garden, the cheerful song of birds who instinctively know the cold season is ending, or maybe the little calendar by my bed, with “Call for an appointment to de-winterize the RV” circled in red.

As I relaxed atop my bed this afternoon, with my healing knee elevated on a big foam wedge and an ice pack strapped securely in place, I had plenty of time to reflect.

What I like most about April is simply that it means May is next! It’s almost summer! ☀️