by
Jean Hughes
March 11, 1996
It is a wrap-around-the-world morning. A radiant copper sun, gilded and splendid, flings rays onto the eastern sky. Clouds of peach and yellow-rose mound around the setting full moon. I walk the sun up.

What is it about sunshine that turns my heart inside-out and strikes warm chords on my heartstrings? The creatures feel it too. Tree sparrows kick up their heels; dogs roll and whine; rabbits do pirouettes.

Days are stretching out. Maple sap climbs up and down with the thaws. Sassafras tips feel velvety. Pussy willows push out their brown toenails. There are no elfin cats' paws yet, but soon there will be a spring purring in the wind. It's coming!


I am making charlotte russe today. I remember when we called it ice box pudding.

Aunt Sum's Ice Box Pudding
Over low heat, dissolve: 1 envelope plain gelatin in 1 cup milk.
Add: 1 cup sugar and 2 egg yolks. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly,
for 5 minutes or until mixture coats a spoon. Cool.
Fold in: 1 can evaporated milk, chilled and whipped or 
1 pt. whipping cream, whipped.
Layer pudding in parfait glasses with crumbled vanilla wafers,
 graham crackers, chocolate wafers or small squares of sponge cake.  
Store in the refrigerator.
At serving time, top with a maraschino cherry.
Note: This dessert can also be made in an 8 by 11 inch pan.

It has been raining, and this evening it is cloudy, but as I step out of my car, there is a moment of twilight, when all the pale brown stalks turn to copper and give a radiance to the fields.

* * *
This morning, I stand in the woods that overlooks the spring. I scan the hills for some movement, but there is not a creature stirring. Then, a slight shadow moves. A lone brown creeper flies to the bottom of a big tree trunk, searches around, then flies under a downed branch and to a tree root. As I watch, I hear a short, sweet, unfamiliar song that fades away on the wind. I search up and down the hollow, but I can see no other birds.

When I get back home, I read about brown creepers. Eureka! They have a sweet song of four notes, the last of which dies away in an indescribable plaintive cadence, like the soft sigh of wind among pine boughs. It is seldom heard during the bird's migration through the United States, but the late naturalist, John Burroughs, wrote of hearing it once in New York, in March.

In March! Oh, how I wish I could go back to the moment when I heard my brown creeper sing. But nature does not give repeat performances. However, to have something in common with my hero, John Burroughs, is joy unbounded.

* * *
Today, I walk beside the little creek and in and out of the woods. There is always treasure here. I see nothing unusual, but as I head for home, Pan blows one soft note upon his pipe, a souffle flute-note played along with two tall trees that are blowing in the wind and touching branches. It is a mellifluous tone, a harbinger of spring.

A cardinal and a titmouse sing me up the hill trail, and I lean on the front fence to attend the sundown. As I watch and listen, a trembling warble emits from the barn. It is my screech owl singing his love song. It is not plaintive and wailing, but a timid sound, mellow as all things are in spring. He calls over and over. I hope he is enchanting a little owless, as he is me.

When dark comes, I watch Venus. It has a small halo. In the east, there are two low stars. From the woods, an owl calls a single "whoo," as soft as the coo of a dove. There is a gentle wind.

If I Could, I Would
       Earth, I have something to say, but I can't
       Find words that tell half my feelings -- I rant!
       Why can't I sing like the birds so you'll know?
       Why can't I bloom like the flowers and show
       How my heart quakes when soft air hits my face,
       Warms me and charms me with each faint embrace?
       How can I tell you, you wonderful thing,
       That I feel your sweet touch -- the promise of spring.
Copyright 1996, Jean Hughes.

Jean's book of ramblings and recipes "A Country Mile of Winter" and her book of poetry "The Earth's My Home" are available for $4.95 each plus $1.30 for postage and handling. Ten of Jean's favorite recipes will be included free with each book ordered. Order from...

Country Mile Publications
616 E. Monroe St.
Delphi, Indiana 46923

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