But during this season,the amazing status quo becomes really spectacular as so many of our popular orchid species burst onto the scene – in pots, in trees, on walls…everywhere.
So at about the time the visitors are enjoying the breezy and sunny clime, suddenly there is the annual Saint Croix Orchid Society show, the first day of spring and then WHAMMO, Easter!
Easter on St. Croix means families camping at the beaches, happy homecomings followed by rueful goodbyes (unless, as my Mom insists, fish and company start to smell after three days). The snowbirds are starting to strategize their northern migratory patterns for impending departures. Last dinners, drinks, lunches and beach trips are coordinated and scheduled before they trek back stateside for the summer. Restaurants require reservations, and events like the Cristiansted St. Patrick's Day parade draw evermore enormous, amiable crowds.
In my world made of Seaglass, new ideas pop up like the spring beauties,violets, crocus and jonquils did at home when I was a kid with chapped knees from being the first to push the season and wear shorts to my elementary school. Here, I will be dreamily sorting Seaglass into happy piles of potential for the whole summer.
Also here in St. Croix, post-Easter was almost a bigger deal than pre-Easter to my friend & me. That was because the day the bunny hopped away was the same day that Kmart drastically reduced the price for bags of Hershey's eggs with their thin pastel candy shell. Never mind we were in our 40s and 50s, like two scheming kids we'd formulate all manner of excuses to hit Kmart several times during this week every year ("oh man, I forgot paper towels. Want to go back?").
And chocolate eggs always make me think of comedian Eddie Izzard's routine about how modern Easter customs evolved – chocolate eggs being the color of the wood of the cross???? As good an explanation as any, I guess.
Anyway, however your Spring has sprung, I hope you enjoy it thoroughly. As for me, I forgot toothpaste and I'm headed back to Kmart.
