April - my birth month, which makes me a Taurus, (the bull, and equally as stubborn) has finally arrived bringing spring flowers and monarch butterflies to feed on their nectar.  It also presents little girls in pink and yellow, frilly dresses with Easter baskets on their arms hunting for chocolate eggs.  I have always loved April, not only because it introduced me to the world: a world full of blue oceans, and bluebells, and lavender heather, and snow-capped mountains, but the joy of being alive to experience such scenery and human emotions, such as joy and love.

 

 

    I inhale the pungent odor of the Easter lilies as I open odd-shaped cards wishing me a Happy Easter!  As I now wish all of you, my dear readers, a Happy Easter and Passover holidays.  This month will be well-spent as a recuperative time to recharge my batteries, replenish my positive attitude, regenerate my spirit and motivate my muscles.  In other words, scare off the ageing process, here in Florida the fountain of youth!  Just as the tiny green leaves on my trees are a testament to nature's tenacity defying the atrocious beating our plants took last summer, I am bursting with pride that my mango tree is also experiencing a renaissance.  I don't eat mangos but I have fun giving them away. Creating a healthy life style is primarily on my agenda this month.  Jogging at eight in the morning, eating organic cereal with soy milk, and training my brain to think pleasant thoughts; an almost impossible task these days.

 

 

    A global citizen am I, especially on the internet, with no particular affiliation except that of being decent, moral, truthful, and law-abiding, as I sway in the prevailing breeze, dancing to my own international tune, happy that I am a free spirit, listening to my dreams. 

 

    As I hug my little dogs who greet me so affectionately every morning, offering me unconditional love, I think of all the blessings bestowed upon me and think: 

April - spring - ah yes - life renewed.  I have created a waystation for the monarch butterflies that alight on my tiny flowers for their food: butterfly weeds (asclepsias tuberosa) purple coneflowers (echinacea pururea) zinnias and verbenas, for their journey north each summer.  

 

 

    Time quickly passes on, but I greet each April with delight as I welcome a few more tomorrows.

 

Alinka Zyrmont