Scanning Around With Gene: Spring is Here

It’s been a bad week in the world and it’s hard not to get depressed. But let us not miss the wonder that is the traditional first day of Spring, this Sunday, March 20. I know not all of you have seen it yet, but here in sunny California the signs abound. Shadows are getting shorter. Leaves are popping from half-dead branches. And there is a subtle change in the light’s temperature.
Today’s images come from a booklet for children called “The Basic Science Education Series, Spring is Here,” written by Bertha Morris Parker and published by Row, Peterson, and Company of Evanston, Illinois. The copyright is 1948-1955, so I assume the art is from 1948 and that subsequent editions were essentially reprints. Click on any image for a larger view.

Spring is a wonderful time. Flowers open, tadpoles swim, gardens grow.

But Spring is also a time of surprise and unpredictability. It looks warm enough for just a shirt, but you’ll really need a sweater.

The great thing about Spring is that while you may have a few setbacks, you know it’s only going to get better day after day. Soon the birds will be singing, the pussy willows will be blooming, and small animals will appear out of nowhere.

It’s time to fly a kite, dress up for Easter, or take a stroll in the woods.

Sometimes you have to look pretty hard for signs of Spring; for example, the view from my office is of a parking lot with an airport in the background. But I do see the occasional bird, and even in the worst of office-park landscaping you can tell it’s Spring by observing the plants. And the shadows.

I love Spring for all the reasons shown here and more. My birthday is in the Spring and I love the garden, so Spring is the most exciting time. Last evening I went on a walk for the first time in months.

I know it might be hard to focus on shortening shadows and pussy willows given everything that’s going on in the world this week. But spring is a time of renewal and birth and reminds us that things can and will get better.
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Anonymous says:

March 18, 2011 at 3:49 pm

Don’t shadows get shorter for a given time of day as the sun rises higher on the horizon? Just a thought.

March 18, 2011 at 4:01 pm

Gene-

change is inevitable. Just like the Seasons! I come alive at Spring. Like you I’m a fan! My garden gets planted, robins appear in my blossoming pear trees and the smell of newness is all around!

I appreciate your positive mind set. Often we become so wrapped up in what’s wrong with the world that we forget to just pause, look and take in all the wonderful gifts around us!

We all have so much to be thankful for! So, Happy Birthday Gene! And thank you for welcoming another Spring.

March 18, 2011 at 5:11 pm

I miss being of the age when all I knew of the world was reflected in these illustrations. I was once a girl looking at these picture books of girls and boys. Thanks for putting these up. I love them.

March 18, 2011 at 5:25 pm

Thank you, Gene, for scanning these pictures for us. When I was a child, I must have read a lot of books with this sort of art work because the pictues sure bring back good memories of my childhood.

We won’t see Spring plant life in Fairbanks, Alaska, for some time yet – we need to get rid of about 4 feet of snow -BUT – I have heard the small birds already. :)

Take care – have a great weekend!
-Kathy-

March 18, 2011 at 5:31 pm

I, too, say thank you for these images, Gene. They remind me so much of my childhood – and a much less complicated world.

Sheila J

March 22, 2011 at 7:55 pm

In Calgary, it will be below freezing most of this week, and it has snowed on an off in the past few days. It was actually milder through much of January. So, like, thanks for letting us know spring is “here”–somewhere.

March 25, 2011 at 7:24 am

Very nice! Thank you Gene :-)

barberatf says:

April 12, 2011 at 9:09 am

Down by me in NJ last frost is around May 15. I have broccoli and onions in the ground already.
NutraSlim HCA