Yep, Spring Has Sprung

By Ernest Lowery
Community Outreach Correspondent
New Journal and Guide

What a beautiful blooming tree, I said to myself as I took notice of my neighbors’ front yard the other day. It’s a clear sign of the arriving spring when I see the budding of the Okame Flowering Cherry Tree which stands roughly twenty feet high. Over the years, it has faithfully bloomed in late February and early March.  I know this to be true, because I witnessed the new young tree planting some six years ago.  

There have been times I have gazed from my side storm door as the Blue Jays, Cardinals, robins and sparrows feast on the soft petals. Sometimes they have all been on the Flowering Cherry Tree at the same time, each bird taking its own hurried moment to peck on the delicate fluffy carmine pink flowers. The flowers are made of petals which expand up to about one inch wide and can bloom in clusters of two to five. 

Every now and then, I’ve caught sight of a squirrel or two playfully scurrying up, down and around the base of the tree, as the nervous birds always take flight. Nature has fulfilled its scheduled duty; soon there will be birds’ nests occupying the tree and before long some of us will be    privileged to awaken to chirping by the newly hatched.  
This showy tree is also one of our national capital’s pride and joy during the spring time. People arrive from around the world to witness the beauty of these cherry flowering trees; hence, the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C..

This spring if you have a little time on your hands, take a ride up to D.C. and check out the Cherry Blossom Festival. It is a sight to behold. The cherry blossoms currently are near peak bloom. Google the festival if you’d like more information.
If you can’t make it to Washington, visit the New Journal and Guide at www.thenewjournalandguide.com for a video view of the National Cherry Blossom Festival with EarthCam’s live view, thanks to an ongoing partnership with the National Park Service.
Yep, Sunday, March 20 is the first day of spring, and as the boys used to say back in the day, I can smell it, yep.

My Word For The Week:
The word for this week is sagacious. Check it, use it! 
“A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” Sound familiar?
Happy Spring …