Writers draw inspiration from many things. One of the ways I draw inspiration is through the seasons, and over the past few years, I have written several pieces about the four seasons.

Spring

I’m looking at the trees and a smile forms across my lips because I’m seeing these tall, aged trees begin to wake from their deep slumber. It’s as if they got the memo that yesterday was the last day of winter and today was the first day of spring, thus, they need to wake up. I can see them stretching their limbs in the cool breeze that blows through their growing green fingers. But it’s not just the trees stirring about; the grass seems to have a new lust for life, soaking in the bright sun that hangs in the sky above. Even the willow to my left seems to be coming alive, new buds bursting with life flourish down its long limbs eager to start off the new season. The gecko running around my porch trying to avoid getting caught, even he has a new sense of eagerness and boldness that makes him feel he can run around out in the open. Then the birds, ah the birds, singing the song of spring in their own voices expressing their love for the season. The woodpeckers beat at the trees eagerly to give the singing birds a sense of rhythm to sing and praise to. The wind even has a new enthusiastic view on life as it moves through the trees and leaves spreading the news of the season to every living being. Squirrels zip around the trees chasing each other excited about the warm weather that has been missing since the cold weather set in a couple of months ago. And yet when I breathe in the sweet smell of wood burning from a fire pit, or the fragrance of freshly cut grass moves across your nose, I feel a sense of relaxation begin to settle over me because even I know what this wonderful season brings.

Summer

The long arms of the ocean crash over the sparkling diamonds before shrinking back to the body it so longs to remain a part of. The wind, that blew the diamonds into my face, was warm and salty making me feel grateful I was stripped down to a stretchy, rubbery outfit that seemed to show off every single one of my curves. Even when not sitting on the beach, walking outside I might feel the cloudless rain drops drip down the side my face as the temperature rises making me want to strip down to something that isn't going to cause me to sweat so much. The birds are singing and playing in the baths that people have left out in their gardens; the bees and wasps are scaring people and making them do more cardio than they have all year, Olaf's summer song is playing in all the little kid's heads and the kids are outside all day from dawn until dusk (for those not playing video games). The parents are going bonkers because they have the kids all day. Some students are burning everything they saved from the previous year, others are just throwing them away. College students, when not finding jobs, are carpooling to the beach, mall, or pool to cool off for the day and work on their tan lines. The trees, grass, and bushes are a luscious green, the sky is a light blue with white puffy clouds dotting the sky. The only downside is the heat, the blistering weather is enough to make you sweat off those extra pounds you didn't loose in the Spring, and burn you like someone had stuck you under the broiler. But if you put on enough sunscreen, put on those fancy new Dollar Tree shades, that new bikini and get outside, you too will be able to enjoy the blistering heat, the salty waters, the friends you couldn't socialize with in class and all without worrying about homework!

Autumn

This season brings to mind Tinker Bell and the Season Fairies painting all the wonderful colors on the individual leaves. The leaves are a mixture of reds, yellows, oranges and even some are still green. The grass is loosing it's luscious green tint and moving into the brown stage of life, leaves are dying and falling to their death only to be raked up and thrown away like they meant nothing at all. The wind has a crisp cool feel that makes people shed the bathing suits and trade them in for hoodies and jeans. This is the season for Han Solo boots and fashionable outfits that go along with them while trying to outlook the other girls in your classes. Students are back in classes looking out the windows wondering where the Summer had gone, and most are already wishing for winter break. The pumpkin is coming into season so you see pumpkin in air fresheners, bread, bars, creamer, cookies, candles, pies, seeds, and spices. For those who don't like pumpkins... this is the nightmare season. Halloween is also upon us; little kids trying to outdo each other with their costumes, parents take bets on what the most common costume will be that year, people pass out the nasty candy and keep the good stuff in the kitchen for later and kids pig out on the candy they collected making the parents go nuts with the sugar high they get. But once Halloween is over Thanksgiving is the next big thing that comes and begins the major cooking part of the season. You have either ham, turkey, or both, pies, potatoes, ham sauce, bread and anything else that has been passed down from generation to generation. The moment Thanksgiving Dinner is done with people forget what they're thankful for and beat each other up over at the local Walmart over an Elsa doll from "Frozen." Parents then begin to freak out over the Christmas shopping that they still have to do. This season is the season that brings out the best colors of the years and allows people to look their best and eat and drink the best stuff.

Winter

This season has its ups and downs. Unique, white crafted water droplets fall from the sky and blanket the ground, covering the grass, roads and roofs making the world look like the inside of a snow globe. Brine and salt are being spread out all over the roads and sidewalks, the South is freaking out over flurries and the North is grilling in the snow. Hoodies are exchanged for fluffy coats, boots have gotten thicker and the thinner ones are stuffed with socks and bags to prevent the water from reaching their toes. This is the time where Gene Autry, Andy Williams, Burl Ives and Bing Crosby fill the radio waves. Trees are going up and being decorated, presents are going under the tree and the last of them are being bought. Those pesky relatives are coming down for the holidays, and while some people have to deal with their monster-in-laws, others are on good terms with their in-laws and the time spent with them is a good one. The South is warmer in the winter this year than it has normally been whereas the North has been lacking the extremely cold weather and remaining in the 40's and 50's making the snow absent for the year. For those who don't like the snow, this is a good year (but it also makes you wonder why they're even living in the North to begin with). This season is about giving and reflecting over the past year, enjoying family, being grateful for everything you have and enjoying the wonderful things you've gotten this year.

Seasons affect everyone differently but they have this effect over some that they can draw inspiration from. But as Pocahontas said, "Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?" Writers can only put that paint into words and captivate, as well as transport, them into that season. Happy Holidays and enjoy all the seasons for all they have to offer!