We noticed the white roses first. They were in bloom. White bushes all around the parameter of the building's front. We wondered if spring was on its way. It is February and it is very cold.
Thou we sleep with 5 blankets and a hot water bottle for each of us, it is still very cold. During the days, the sun shines, but the warmth does not penetrate the heavy cement blocks which make up our 5 stories building. I walk out in the early mornings, in the dark, with heavy ski coat, 3 layers of winter clothing, like a small child who is sent to play out in the snow.
Then we saw the small birds coming in flocks. They inhabited the trees in the park behind us, and entertained Misty, the cat, with their chirping and summersaults on the wires. The ravens came next. Qwa and Kraw sounds filled the air. So different then the black north American ravens. In Israel, they are black and grey and at times light grey so they look white in the sun. They arrive in flocks, taking over the high branches and the low grass, eating in group and shouting at each other and at every movement around them. We don't like their noisy eating habits, but they are messaging that spring is almost here.
Today, we walked to the Post Office through the park. Pigeons were sunning on the grass on one side of the path, ravens were agitating each other on the opposite side. We went to retrieve a large envelope the postman could not put in our mail box. The sun was warm. We had one long-sleeves shirt on and no coats. It felt as if we are sun tanning; fifteen minutes of bliss.
The long envelope had pictures in it. Two hand drawn and two of our grand-daughters. They sent to us a gift. Smiles on, eyes looking up to the heavens in thankfulness, we saw the small birds of prey. They circle the park individually yet in a flock. The group circle the park as they were flying North, migrating; Yet, each bird flew in its own circle, watching and concentrating on its own prey. Their head are white, their body grey and the East wind is beneath their wings.
As we turned the corner, two purple Irises were blooming. Spring is almost here.
