THINGS ARISE: One of my favorite quotes is, ‘Spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.’ Sometimes attributed to Lao Tsu and sometimes Basho Matsuo. But grass is not the only thing that arises, that ‘grows by itself.’ Here in our piney woods things are beginning to happen underfoot, beneath last year’s leaves and needles. The very first Bloodroots, a single white blossom clasped in a single leaf, are arising. The first Virginia Waterleafs, named for the white, droplet-like speckles on their leaves, are here. The first fuzzy-leaved Wild Gingers and the smooth, spotted Trout Lilies are arising. Even the tiny Wild Strawberries. It is a good time, one we wait for all winter long, here in the North Country.