The “Vernal Equinox’ marks the sun’s crossing of the celestial equator. The term “equinox” comes from the Latin “aequus,” meaning equal, and “nox,” meaning night. All around the Great Wide World, on the first day of Spring, night and day are the same length. The Northern Hemisphere’s, “Long night” season is finally over, and we will keep gaining a minute or so of sunlight every day until summer:<)
The dogwoods are in bloom, and the wildflowers are popping up all over the landscape here in Texas. It takes a little longer for Spring to show up on the High Plains, where they’re experiencing high winds, snow, and blizzards – yuck. Springtime on Galveston Bay might be the best season; the winter monsoons end and the summer heat hasn’t shown up yet.
“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’” ~ Robin Williams
If you’ve never experienced bluebonnet season in Texas, you’re missing a special time. Texans round up the entire family – kids, dogs, and grandparents and head for their favorite bluebonnet pasture to take Easter pictures. The winter chill fades as nature awakens, a breath of fresh air that brings warmth, color, and rebirth.
A season of renewal; the flowers bloom, the birds sing, and the Great Wide World is filled with new possibilities. The season of transformation, Spring, is a source of inspiration for poets, writers, and philosophers who marvel at its beauty and symbolism. Everything is green and fresh as the season of rebirth begins.
“Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.” —Laura Ingalls Wilder
Cultures all over the planet have been celebrating Spring for millennia. Most of these celebrations involve getting outside and enjoying nature, which is what the 3mph lifestyle is about. We end many essays and articles with “Get Out There,” we’ve recently seen a new idiom that we like, “Touch Grass.”
Have you ever been told to “touch grass” after a social media battle? “Touch grass” or “go touch some grass” is an internet idiom that means “get off the internet and go outside.” People online use it as an insult when someone is out of touch with reality. One reason this term became so popular was people’s prolonged internet and social media use during the government-mandated lockdowns.
Because leaving the house was against the rules, people couldn’t access the local playgrounds and parks, so many spent days glued to a computer screen. This eventually led to “Touch Grass” becoming a popular comeback on Social Media. Every Sunday morning, when my iPhone reports the amount of time I spend glued to the little screen each day, I think, “No Way,” but when I look around, I realize that many of us have become hopelessly addicted to our miniature communication devices.
So, I’ve decided to spend more time out in nature touching grass this season, renewing and strengthening my spirit, celebrating the majesty of Spring, and leaving the smartphone on the shelf.
“You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry. Don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.” ~ Walter Hagen