's motd Sunday March 20, 2011

[Guest guest]

SPRING IS

HERE!

Sunday, 20 March 2011

Yes my friends, listen up...today

is the very first day of the new season. Yep, spring

is here! Now I know, depending on where you

live in the U.S., some of you may still be dealing

with icy temperatures and maybe even some snow. But

you just hang in there because "Father Frost" is on

his way out the door!

Ahhhh, there's just something

great about enjoying springtime. I mean, it really is

the season of...The New! Trees that have

been barren all winter are beginning to sprout little

buds that that'll turn into beautiful green leaves.

In some parts of the country, brightly colored tulips

are peaking from beneath the once cold soil.

And oh, let's talk about my hometown, New Orleans.

It's so glorious there this time of year. We have

lots of spring festivals where some French

Quarter residents open their homes to welcome the new

season by showing off their wonderful patios. (You

can't see the patios from the streets of the Quarter

and you can't believe how big and pretty some of them

are). This time of year in New Orleans, we're also

known for our breathtaking azaleas, camellias and

gardenias. And if you haven't seen the blossoms on a

Dogwood tree, you're missing one of Mother Nature's

most beautiful works of art.

When I was a kid, I went to a lot

of the spring festivals in New Orleans. Even then, I

just loved admiring the beautiful spring flowers. The

sweet smell of all those blossoms was intoxicating.

And I can't wait for all of those delicious springtime

fruits and vegetables headed for our local

supermarkets. Here in Los Angeles, we have a lot of

farmer's markets where local farmers bring many of

their home-grown produce and home-made specialty

items. In fact, there's one just a block up from

Slimmons on Sundays. They sell everything from

heirloom tomatoes to homemade bread & butter

pickles. (You'd love it!) Hey, maybe there's a

farmer's market near your home later this season. If

there is...go! You know that fresh is

best! Just last week, I bought oranges at the

farmers market and they were so juicy and sweet, they

were like candy! (Without all of those pesky

calories...LOL.)

Another way to enjoy the wonderful springtime weather

is to go for a nice walk, taking in the bounty and

beauty of this season of the new. Sometimes I walk

around my neighborhood enjoying the sights and smells

of all the many blooming flowers and trees you see

here in Southern California. Hey, maybe there's a

public park or walking trail near your home where you

can get those legs of yours moving as you take in the

beauty of spring.

And by the way, as the flowers are

blooming...you should bloom, too. And you

know what? Every time you workout...you do

bloom! Every time you eat fresh fruits and

vegetables...you bloom! And hey, isn't it time

for you to bloom? I mean, after all, it is...SPRING!

Love,