Spring has Sprung

Regina Rudd Merrick

“Spring is a time of plans and projects.” Leo Tolstoy

I can’t say I’ve ever read much Tolstoy, but he is right on track with this quote!

Early spring, I start looking for green wherever you can find it – the fields planted with winter wheat start to get a blush of green, maybe some perennial flowers begin to peek out, and we have that glorious 75-degree day that makes me know winter and its hardships were all worthwhile!

Then, it snows, and the world seems to crash down around me. What was, in December, an exciting event, now turns into “will spring never come?”

But now it’s May, and since we had such a wet March and April, we should have an abundance of MAY FLOWERS!! In two weeks’ time bushes and trees bloomed and then began to drop the blossoms to make room for leaves. Daffodils gave way to narcissus, and violets? They are everywhere!

Nature is full of plans for spring. It never fails to arrive. It always comes just as we think we can’t stand one more day of cold, windy, rainy days.

But what about me? How do I PLAN for spring? As a mother of adult children, this year I’ve planned for spring by getting my house and yard spring-i-fied and put together for family time this summer. We have a wedding coming up this fall, and there will be lots of guests coming and going in the interim!

As a writer, it’s not so easy. When faced with icky winter days when I’d rather not get out anyway, it’s easy to plan to write 1500-2000 words a day, but when the sun starts peeking out? When the wind softens and the birds are singing? When my time seems to be planned for me? I’d rather be doing just about anything else than sequestering myself in my office.

That’s when I have to remind myself that those “plans and projects” include work, as well as family and play! It means I need to say “no” to some projects that sounded like fun upon first glance. It also means that I need to put myself on a deadline for every project.

It’s tough, but it can be done! It’s easy to fall into the procrastination trap of scrolling through social media – I love those “It’s a Southern Thing” videos –  or emails – Oh! There’s a great sale going on at Overstock.com! – or any number of time-sucking trolls that keep me from accomplishing anything.

And like I’ve heard preachers say, if you think I’m pointing at you, I’ve got four fingers pointing back at ME!

Use the extra energy of spring to literally put a spring in your writing, and in your life. Spring into action by making a plan and sticking to it.

And yes, I’m talking to myself . . .

What is your favorite aspect of spring? What are YOUR plans?

Thanks for this great reminder to set goals (and necessary deadlines to stay on track to those goals), Regina. I, too, love spring flowers and everything spring brings. Thanks for being my guest today!

Regina Rudd Merrick began reading romance and thinking of book ideas as early as her teenage years when she attempted a happily-ever-after sequel to “Gone With the Wind.” That love of fiction parlayed into a career as a librarian, and finally to writing full-time. She began attending local writing workshops and continued to hone her craft by writing several short and novel-length fan-fiction pieces published online, where she met other authors with a similar love for story, a Christian worldview, and happily-ever-after. Married for 30+ years and active in their church in Marion, KY, Regina and her husband have two grown daughters who share her love of music, writing, and the arts. She is the author of three books: Carolina Dream (Apr. 2017), Carolina Mercy (July 2018), and Carolina Grace (February 2019) in the Southern Breeze Series. Connect with Regina at
https://www.reginaruddmerrick.com .

She knows about God’s grace for her life, but pushes it away. He hasn’t experienced it, but finds grace in a way he never expected.

First-year Special Education teacher Charly Livingston demonstrates God’s love on the outside, but is resentful that God allowed back-to-back tragedies to happen to her family.

Rance Beaumont is a top-notch medical intern. He’s on his way to the top, and when he meets Charly, he knows things can only get better. When he discovers family secrets and a dying father he never knew, his easy life seems to disintegrate.

Even in the idyllic ocean breezes and South Carolina sunshine, contentment can quickly turn to bitterness and confusion except for God’s amazing grace.

You can purchase Carolina Grace and Regina’s other books on Amazon.