Watch For It, It’s Coming!

They’re here! We saw them yesterday, strutting around, red breast puffed out, looking for worms. They fluttered from branch to bare branch on the trees. Y’all know who I’m talking about, don’t you? They were American Robins. Turdus migratorius. My favorite bird in the whole wide world!

I know, I know, there are lots of birds out there in the wide world. Why the Robin? Because, when I see Robin I know that Spring, glorious Spring is just around the corner. For me, winter is the death season. Trees are barren and skeletal. Grass withers, turns brown, and crunches under my feet. Flowers are a distant memory. The Robin signifies hope.

Sometime around Thanksgiving I begin counting the days until Spring rises from the frigid ashes of winter to spread warmth and color in the world. I, and my friend Tim Childers, begin counting the days until we “spring forward” again; another sure sign that spring is coming.

bhelas.co.uk-pic Soon, my nostrils will be tantalized by the rich aroma of fertile soil as we plant basil and mint, and maybe some rosemary and chives. I’ll smile each time I pass the window to see them reaching up for the warming rays of Spring sunlight. My mind will wander to the recipe book, fantasizing about the dishes our herbs will bless.

Summer and early Autumn make me happy, but Spring…? Spring makes me delirious!

I recently read a lovely tale related to Spring. It seems the phoenix was given her legendary gift of immortality because she refused to eat the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Every 500 years the phoenix builds a nest of herbs and spices. She sits on it and bursts into flames. When the fire dies down, her egg, found in the ashes hatches and the phoenix is resurrected. Grand story, isn’t it? Spring is all about resurrection.

NewYesterdays Soon, the days will be warm enough to visit the park, lie on the ground, and read a good book surrounded by like-minded people enjoying the bounteous gifts of Mother Nature. Get ready for spring with a copy of New Yesterdays. I can promise you’ll enjoy the season even more!

And, following the tradition established by my good friend and fellow scribe, Seumas Gallacher, I invite you to visit the blogs of some of my friends. Be sure to leave them a comment to let them know you came by.

They’ll appreciate the visit and you’ll love what you find there!

About Ol' Big Jim

Jim L. Wright is a storyteller with a lifetime of experiences as colorful as the characters he creates. Born and raised in Piedmont, Alabama, Jim’s connection to the land, history, and people of the region runs deep. His debut novel New Yesterdays is set in his hometown, where he grew up listening to stories of the past—stories that sparked his imagination and curiosity for history. Today, Jim lives in Leeds, Alabama, with his husband Zeek, a tour operator who shares his passion for adventure and discovery. Known affectionately as “Ol’ Big Jim,” he has had a diverse career that includes time as a storekeeper, an embalmer, a hospital orderly, and a medical coder. There are even whispers—unconfirmed, of course—that he once played piano in a house of ill repute. No matter the job, one thing has remained constant: Jim is a teller of tales. His stories—sometimes humorous, sometimes thought-provoking—are often inspired by his unique life experiences. Many of these tales can be found on his popular blog, Ol’ Big Jim, where he continues to share his musings with a loyal readership. Jim’s adventures have taken him far beyond Alabama. For seven years, he lived in Amman, Jordan, the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city. His time there, spent in smoky coffee shops, enjoying a hookah and a cup of tea while scribbling in his ever-present notebook, deeply influenced his worldview and his writing. When Jim isn’t writing, he’s thinking about writing. His stories, whether tall tales from his past or imaginative reimagining is of historical events should read from his past or imaginative reimaginings of historical events, reflect a life lived fully and authentically. With New Yesterdays, Jim brings readers a rich tapestry of history, fantasy, and human connection. Visit his blog at www.olbigjim.com to read more of his stories, or follow him on social media to keep up with his latest musings and projects, one of which is a series that follows Bonita McCauley, an amateur detective who gets into some very sticky situations. His book, New Yesterdays, can be found at Amazon US, Amazon UK, Smashwords, and Barnes and Noble.

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