April Showers do their job - Spring has sprung

There is an old saying that “April showers bring May flowers.” They sure do. They also brought surging rivers and streams, soggy gardens, flooded basements, overflowing ponds, and puddles forming in unusual places. Such is life in New England.

The phrase origin is a poem written in 1557 by British poet Thomas Tusser which originally read “Sweet April showers, do spring May flowers.” The cool and wet of April gives way to the warmer and sunnier days of May.

We are experiencing a pattern of warming winters in New England that have reduced the average snowfall we receive. Despite less snow, we have had an abundance of rain making the winter of 2023-2024 the fourth wettest on record. Considering that the summer of 2023 was the wettest on record things are a bit soggy in the Granite State.

The arrival of buds and blooms is triggered by the warming temperatures and in the last week we have seen spring burst out slightly ahead of the May start date.

The other traditional part of the April Showers Bring May Flowers saying is the old joke in response, “And what do Mayflowers Bring?” The perfect dad-joke reply is of course “Pilgrims.” Given the volume of blooming action we are experiencing this year we should revise that to be “pollen.”’

DAN SPLAINE – Photographer/Contributor

Nashua native Dan Splaine is a commercial photographer who creates images for businesses. A strong belief in the value of local independent journalism, his Nashua roots, and his extensive background in photojournalism make contributing to the NASHUA INK LINK a natural choice.

After working in dozens of countries and throughout the US on assignments Dan will happily go local and turn his lens to capture lives and living in the Gate City. You can see his work and learn about his photography services and workshops by going to his website.