I'll admit, I don't spend much time thinking about the earth. I'm sure happy to see it reappear when winter recedes the white blanket in favor of the green, however. And living here in Maine, year round, I do appreciate the change of seasons. But winter always disconnects me from thinking much about anything more than surviving the cold and barrenness until spring.

As my winter tensions begin to melt away like the last of the dirty snow after a spring rain, I guess I do start to think a little more about the earth. I appreciate her more, I want to protect her as she nourishes the beginning of a new season of color to life, and I become more actively connected with the spiritual side of spring, of which nature is prominent and primal.

I want to see green grass, even if it means having to cut it. I want to see robins pulling worms off of my lawn to take to their babies in the nest. I anticipate seeing tulips and daffodils rise up tall against the stone wall. And I can't wait to start digging in the dirt to begin the cycle all over again.

As spring begins to make more of a lasting visit than what seems like a brief guest appearance, take the time to really enjoy it this year. I know I will.

For more ways to appreciate and help the earth this spring, check out Maine's Earth Day events.

Melanie Hyatt is an editor at Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine.