Changing our clocks in March always signals that we are "springing" forward. With the increased hours of daylight, our spirits rise and we begin to think of spring cleaning, sprucing up our yards and gardens and appreciating the warmer temperatures that bring green grass and budding flowers.
The Smith felines are slowly adapting to the time change and their feeding schedules are returning to their normal times. I don't think Zoie Joy realizes that the time changed because she still gets me awake in the morning at her usual early sunrise hour. The outside visitors also seem to be unaffected by the change in feeding times. They seem to follow the rise and fall of the sun to set their morning and evening feeding times.
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| Bonnie and Clyde bathe after their evening meal against a backdrop of rapidly greening lawn. |
The winter animal print throws on the bed have been replaced with pastel-colored throws and Paddy and Halo seem to have approved. Paddy and Zoie have both been preoccupied with ladybug visitors that seem to think they are safe in higher places.
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| Paddy enjoying the new throw on the bed. |
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| Paddy watching a ladybug. |
Spring temperatures also signal the need for spring cleaning. A clean office somehow feels even more inviting when bathed in the afternoon spring sunshine and a warm breeze wafts through the room from an open window. The cats love the fresh air and outside sounds.
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| Zoie supervising the winter/spring wardrobe switch |
I also began switching my winter clothes for my spring wardrobe. Zoie, Paddy and Halo accompanied me upstairs to do the switch. Zoie immediately found a comfortable spot on the wool rug in the spare bedroom and Paddy made herself at home on the window bench. Halo, of course, headed for a comfy spot on the bed!
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| Bonnie catches a whiff of cat mint in a patio planter. |
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| Bonnie surveys the first weeds of spring. |
Watching the feline springtime antics of Bonnie and Clyde has reminded me of the beauty of spring and the importance of valuing those we love. They share food, bathe together and clearly have an inseparable bond. Too often we take those bonds for granted.
Happy SPRING from the Smith felines!
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| Halo says goodbye to winter and hello to spring as she settles down with a really good book! |
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USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 95th novel will be released in 2016.
Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens. And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.
Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below.
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You're a little more ahead on spring there than I am here in Upstate NY. Hopefully things will start greening up here soon. I do have robins again, and a few of the geese are back.
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