Recipes for Spring

Happy May!  Here we are at the beginning of another month. Can you believe how quickly time flies?  Today I wanted to do something different and share a poem with you.  This is my favorite poem because it reminds me of how important it is to live in the here and now.  I've shared it here in the past, but I think it's worth sharing again.



IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.
I'd relax, I would limber up.
I would be sillier than I have been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously.
I would take more chances.

I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.
I would perhaps have more actual troubles,
but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.  

You see, I'm one of those people who live
sensibly and sanely hour after hour,
day after day. 

Oh, I've had my moments.
And if I had it to do over again,
I'd have more of them.
In fact, I'd try to have nothing else.
Just moments, one after another
instead of living so many years ahead of each day. 

I've been one of those people who never goes anywhere
without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat
and a parachute.
If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.  

If I had my life to live over,
I would start barefoot earlier in the spring
and stay that way later in the fall.
I would go to more dances.
I would ride more merry-go-rounds.
I would pick more daisies.

                                     Nadine Stair,
                                     85 years old

 Every time I reread this poem I think about what I would write at 85 years old.  I have a feeling it would involve eating more chocolate cupcakes, spending more time at the beach, and taking more naps on rainy spring afternoons.

I think my poem might also involve indulging in some of my favorite spring meals (pictured above).

Springtime Fiddleheads
Green Bean and Potato Salad with Miso Dressing
Fresh Marinated Beets
Braised Leeks
Creamy Asparagus and Fennel Soup

What would your poem say?