“There’s something different in the air,” Laurence said as we walked in the woods of Forest Park. We could only see the bare branches of the forest in the chilliness after sunset, but I also felt it – the hope of spring. Another winter had passed. “The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land” (SOS 2:12).
Earlier on Friday, I met my friend Wendy who lives on the Upper East Side for a walk in Central Park. We observed the first blooms of tiny daffodils, of snowdrops, and forsythia. Birds sang and sunshine glinted off the water of a meandering creek as we sat visiting on a railing in the North Woods. Yesterday, from the bus windows, I saw that pink blossoms cover the earliest of cherry trees on Roosevelt Island.
The winter is past. The playground near here fills with youth on skateboards, basketball, handball, volleyball, and ping pong players. (It’s a little place, but there’s space for the multitudes.) The Tibetans dance. The children play. The mothers visit.
I’ve never forgotten the youth who years ago in Woodside turned to me and began to sing, “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood,” as we came down the 7 train subway stairs. This stranger and I both knew the beauty of a spring day in Queens.
And now I must get ready to leave for the train and for church in Harlem. Benn, Sundaymar, and my favorite Bee are coming. I’m thrilled. Minister Elmer Swarys are here along with their children and grandchildren. The Poughkeepsie people will be down, and Ephraim Kings are coming with Benns. Hopefully, the attendees Jamie, Dr. Simone, Rebecca, Ellen, and Sonia will be there. We have this great group of young men here and missionaries who know how to keep things running smoothly. Sunday school will be lively, the sermon inspired, and the fellowship hall will fill with joyous noise at lunchtime. (I wish you were here.)
Laurence just walked in with some buns for breakfast that he bought at the Chinese bakery.
Has spring arrived in your part of the world? Have a blessed Sunday. Berniece
An Ordinary Life 
Yes spring has arrived in Mississippi just this morning as o was sipping on a cup of hot tea saw a pair of blue birds building a nest in the blue bird house. Looking forward to having church in the dining room here at Oakwood.Min. Ron Schmidt is on the schedule to come.
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Thanks, Yvonne. No bluebirds here yet, but we saw a robin.
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Spring keeps giving us teasing hints, each a bit more promising than the last here in the high desert! Enjoyed your writing as always 😊.
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I do wish I could be there!! Home is so good, too, though. Spring has sprung:) the trees have buds and the sunshine is toasty warm
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Spring is in Mississippi also. Of course we are ahead of you. The daffodils and forsythia are almost finished blooming. The yard is turning green with mostly weeds🤨. Rains and clouds came daily the past week, but today is blessing us with beautiful sunshine. This morning the Amish group that is volunteering to help rebuild Rolling Fork and Silver City were in church. They said 45 of them would come. Youth age girls and guys made up most of the group. Those of our congregation that wanted to prepare lunch for them could sign the perfect potluck. We had plenty of food, again! This evening is free evening. I hoping a walk happens.
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There is a hint of green showing here in Wyoming and yesterday was a pretty day. Someone told us that there are many springs here. So maybe this is a hint of one of them.😊 Enjoyed reading your writing🩷
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God bless all the new beginnings you’re experiencing in Wyoming. 🌱
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