Delta dwellers understand that our winter seems mild to those in Chicago or Canada.  Even towns to the north and east of us, in the Sierras, see snow and highway closings.  We know our winds and rain do not pose nearly the hazard of other climates, nor do temperatures in the 30s cause icy road hazards such as other areas fight to overcome.

But we’re ready for spring.  Admittedly, we will miss the migrating birds which arrive in October and take flight in March. Still, we scan the levee roads for buds in the undergrowth.  We gaze from our windows in delight at the thickening veil of leaves on the willow trees.  Though we worry about the rising river  here and in nearby counties, we know that a good rainy season can only help the vineyards and the fields of flowering olive trees.

Those of us who make our home in the Delta herald the changing season.  We love April, with her mantel of tender blue, her verdant cloak, and the delicate flicker of the hummingbirds.  In the Park, residents stroll down to the garden where new shoots have begun to emerge from the beds.  The sound of heavy equipment signals that the ground crew has begun to clean winter’s debris from the meadow.

The hoot owl still perches high above the park each night; but yellow blooms rise along the edge of our road.  The lady who tends the flowers in front of the community building waves to visitors as they enter,.   Dogs frolick with ever more energy in their off-leash area.  Their owners linger a little longer, talking, laughing, glad to be outside.  To a one, as we leave our dwellings, we lift our eyes, searching for signs that the sun still shines behind the grey sheaf of clouds.

We’re ready for Spring.