If you don’t mind being covered in yellow -green pollen and sneezing and snorting your brains out, it’s the perfect time of year. What is vile for the nose is a feast for the eyes.

Don was off last Friday and we rose early to make our way to the patio and our first fire and coffee of the spring season. The sun had yet to show its fiery self and the fauna had yet to awaken.

The muffled hums of trolling motors along with the heady scent of the gas and oil mix they use wafted from the lake.

A freight train whistle blew its mournful sound as it passed a crossing in Pope. At this alarm bluebirds could be seen building nests in nearby houses and hummingbirds thirsty from their long trip flocked to the sweet nectar we had prepared for their spring migration from South America.

Jonquils, dogwood, pears and apple blossoms were abundant. Irises stood at the ready to burst open with the rising sun.

As the morn became brighter thousands of bumblebees made the Redbud trees come alive with their hum as they too gathered nectar from the delicate magenta flowers.

Hosta lillies that had been carefully prepared for the bitter cold months before now unfurled like praying hands to the heavens from their deep winter slumber.

The crackling dancing fire and the wonderful aroma of fresh coffee completed our Utopia that morning.

This Sunday the 18th Dear Don and I will celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary. Our gift to one another is the love we share and the deep appreciation we have for mornings like this: the fondness of rising before daybreak with the excitement of a child on Christmas morning.

I prepared the coffee tray while Dear Don rushed to the patio to prepare the fire. We met, smiled, shared a kiss and a warm hug and then settled in quietly as nature shared her best with us.

I’ve mentioned before that I have simple needs, no diamonds or jewelry, no designer duds. I don’t care for cars that cost more than a lot of people make in a year.

Give me a day where I can revel in the simplest of things and I am happy.

So I leave you with this thought today, what makes you happy?  Where is your Utopia?

You get the picture.

(Contact award-winning columnist Sherry Hopkins at swhcsc@wildblue.net.)