Spring Cleaning

The first day of spring was always a day to be celebrated. I was raised in the Midwest where the winters were long and gray. A quick visit up north to see my mom for her 98th birthday this past weekend reinforced that winters haven’t changed at all since I moved away. It was 15 degrees on Sunday morning, the windshield crusted with snow and ice as we got into our rental car to drive to the airport to return to Florida. While I wouldn’t forego these precious visits with family, I would be lying if I didn’t admit that seeing the strips of land surrounded by shimmering blue green water from the airplane window upon approach to my new home still thrills me. No coat needed, it is always good to be back in the sunshine.

Growing up in the Midwest, seasons marked time. Summer was long awaited. It meant daily swimming, sunburn and the box fan wedged in the dining room window whirring throughout the night. Original white noise that provided comfort and sweet pleasure as the breeze crossed the top sheet. The heat followed us into the start of the school year. Then autumn arrived and leaves turned yellow, orange and red and fell en masse to be raked. There were purple mums, caramel apples and pumpkin bread and a crisp chill in the air. As early as late October, the chill became pervasive and led to snow ice and darkness. And it was long. Sometimes six months of winter shrouded us, and we slept more and ate more. We never saw anything wrong with getting into our pjs when we got home for the day at 6:00 p.m. as we were in for the night.

But when the crocuses and daffodils began peeking out from under the thin layer of late season snow, we felt hope and joy. The end was in clear sight now. Spring was always a season of rebirth and renewal. Robins came back. The maple tree budded again and the air smelled damp and earthy and exhilarating. The March days when the sun came out and the windows could be opened again were glorious. The melted snow had left a dirty shadow on sidewalks and streets and the neighbors came out from hiding to sweep and hose down porches and steps. Buckets of soap appeared, and cars were desalted and scrubbed behind the garages in the alleys. The swishing sound of the street sweeper replaced the grinding sound of the snow plows. And the spring cleaning season was under way.

In my home, walls and windows were washed. Storm windows were replaced by screens. Woodwork was scrubbed, floors waxed, carpets and rugs cleaned. Blinds were brought out to be hosed down and comforters and drapes went to the dry cleaners. The lighter bedspreads were brought out of the cedar closets and winter clothes and coats were washed and packed away for next season. Any residual leaves were raked up and dead limbs were trimmed from trees and bushes. The lawn mower was tuned up and ready for action and may have been run across the yard to capture any loose leaves and grass. We entered summer clean and refreshed.

Spring in Florida is largely an extension of our spectacular winters. It is green, sunny, welcoming, and warm. A chilly spring day may begin at 50 degrees but by mid day, we still enjoy mid 70’s. We can wash cars, windows, sidewalks and streets year-round if we desire. We can wear the same clothing year-round with few exceptions. So what does spring cleaning look like for us Floridians? Maybe we can see it as a time of reflection. We can approach this beautiful season as our time to enjoy early morning and late evening nature as the days lengthen. How very fortunate we are to live in this place where others come to vacation. The Norwegian concept of friluftsliv (pronounced free-looft-sliv) is about connecting with nature and taking time to slow down and appreciate the outdoors. Let’s practice friluftsliv now and talk more about cleaning our homes during hurricane season. Deal?