TABLE TALK

"There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter." — Rachel Carson As I write this note in late February, snow continues to swirl outside my window — piling atop the already deep blanket covering the ground. &emsp;It is like winter will never end. &emsp;And suddenly — instead of the familiar winter screeches of blue jays and caws of ravens — I hear a bluebird! There, in a nearby tree, singing an early, sweet warbling song. Bluebirds — and their cousins, robins — are the first of the migrating birds to return to northern New England. I like to think of them as the optimists of the bird species. Arriving even when they could see snow cover from the sky. They land and begin nesting, certain that spring will arrive, despite snow still swirling around them. &emsp;In that same spirit of hope, we bring you the spring issue of Monadnock Table. &emsp;While we all know that it won't really feel like spring until May, like the birds, we sense its arrival in our bones. We invite you to revel in that in-between anticipatory time — the messy mud season, the late snowstorm, the crocuses bursting from the soaked ground, the early rushes of our streams, the songbirds as they arrive, one by one. Even our alpacas are gazing wistfully at the meadow. Spring is coming! &emsp;Meanwhile, what to do about all that mud tracked inside on our boots? Start by visiting our Home & Garden section on page 19, where we share ideas for making peace with mud season and taming the chaos in your entryway. &emsp;Then, take your mind off shoveling and wood piles by turning to page 29 for our top three events of the season. Leading the list is sugaring season — a true harbinger of spring — which begins when nights dip below freezing and days warm to the 40s. Pull on your mud boots and visit a participating sugarhouse during NH Maple Weekend, March 21–22. Other events to get you out and about include the Vermont Craft and Chili Stroll and WILD New Hampshire Day. &emsp;And if your closet is still filled with the greys, browns and blacks of winter, it's time to shed the drab. Visit a local women's clothing boutique for something bright and cheerful. We spotlight the latest trends in color and style in our feature, "Feel Good Spring Fashion," on page 16. &emsp;Finally, watch as our towns come alive again — with the return of farmers' markets, festivals, and the reopening of venues that bring excitement and connection after a long, cold winter. Happy Spring! Marcia Passos Co-founder/editor