3-21-2023 7:20pm

Happy Spring

Christine Larkin Editor

Support your local news!

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - HAPPY SPRING

Buon Primavera. Happy Spring. I must admit, I'm thrilled that winter is finally behind us, and Spring is here. What a renewal. Everything seems a bit brighter, and the birds are chirping louder. This morning, I heard a chirp that was unfamiliar to me. This tells me that birds are returning from different parts of the country. I hope to discover this new fowl. Could it be an owl?

Spring began at 5:24pm on Monday, March 20. I'm reminded of the lyrics to Stevie Wonder's song, As, "and the seasons know exactly when to change." And they do. Nature is miraculous. The March equinox, also called the vernal equinox, marks the sun’s crossing above the Earth’s equator, moving from south to north. It marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. No matter where you are on Earth, the equinox brings us a number of seasonal effects, noticeable to nature lovers around the globe. At the equinox, Earth’s two hemispheres are receiving the sun’s rays equally. Night and day are often said to be equal in length. In fact, the word equinox comes from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night). For our ancestors, whose timekeeping was less precise than ours, day and night likely did seem equal. But today we know it’s not exactly so. I love the fact that we have more sunlight that lasts into the early evening. It changes everything.

The fastest sunsets and sunrises of the year happen at the equinoxes. We’re talking here about the length of time it takes for the whole sun to sink below the horizon. Here’s another equinox phenomenon. You might hear that the sun rises due east and sets due west at the equinox. Is that true? Yes it is. In fact, it’s the case no matter where you live on Earth, with the exception of the North and South Pole. At the equinoxes, the sun appears overhead at noon as seen from Earth’s equator. No matter where you are on Earth – except at the Earth’s North and South Poles – you have a due east and due west point on your horizon. That point marks the intersection of your horizon with the celestial equator: the imaginary line above the true equator of the Earth. The sun is on the celestial equator, and the celestial equator intersects all of our horizons at points due east and due west. Voila! The sun rises due east and sets due west.

The equinoxes and solstices are caused by Earth’s tilt on its axis and ceaseless motion in orbit. You can think of an equinox as happening on the imaginary dome of our sky, or as an event that happens in Earth’s orbit around the sun. The shifts during the equinox are obvious. The weather changes almost abruptly. This week, the sun was noticeably warmer and brighter, and nature seems to have come to life. People are already wearing less clothes. I've noticed people sitting outside on benches and gathering around outdoor tables. What a contrast to a week ago when we had a Nor'easter on Tuesday. What a difference a week makes.

Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth. Just as nature comes to life, so can we. We can embrace this glorious season with excitement and anticipation of what's to come and what changes will emerge within ourselves. It's a time to pay close attention to the natural world around us as you will notice the buds on the trees, the hyacinth, the daffodils and the crocuses, the grass that is greener, and the birds making their mating calls. It's an awakening of the spirit and a time of reflection and excitement. Hope springs eternal.

Finalmente Primavera! Spring at last!

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, each new season is a blessing. We are grateful to have another, and we embrace each day with gratitude.

SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - HICKS NURSERIES FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW

Bring the entire family to Hicks Nurseries for their 33rd annual Flower & Garden Show, “A Novel Approach”. You’ll experience the first taste of spring through the power of storytelling using the beauty of nature as the author.

Written in flowers, spelled out in shrubs, and told in trees, these gardens tell the rich stories that have captivated us and opened our imagination to new possibilities. Be it romance, adventure, travel through time and space, history or mystery, discover a little piece of literature in each of our flower show gardens.

Spring is calling! Hicks Nurseries is at 100 Jericho Turnpike in Westbury, NY. The show runs through March 26, 2023.

Support your local news!

SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

In the springtime, the only pretty ring time, when birds do sing, sweet lovers love the spring.

-William Shakespeare

SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - AS by STEVIE WONDER

Hello and welcome to my weekly newsletter, Skylark Live Town News, representing Bay Shore and beyond. My articles are about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, music, and places I've been. There is also a calendar of upcoming events. Please consider becoming a subscriber. There are several levels, and it’s easy to do. Just open the newsletter and the subscribe button is there. As a subscriber, you will receive a copy of my newsletter each Wednesday morning in your email. You can also advertise your business or event here as well. You can do it yourself or email me to discuss this at christineskylark@aol.com. You can also PM me. Please follow me on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn under my brand, Skylark Live.

I also have an inspirational vlog, 60 and Beyond with Skylark, on the first Monday-of-the-month on my YouTube Channel, Skylark Live. This is designed to inspire people 60 and beyond to continue to thrive through knowledge and self-awareness. Please take a moment to subscribe and click the bell to get notified when I upload a new video.

Thank you for your love and support. Let’s go!