Columnist is ready for Spring

Here we go again. Daylight saving time started yesterday. It’s once again time for all the griping about lost sleep and having to get up early. But as much as I despise the time change, I welcome the change in seasons.
As I write, there is still snow on the ground. There are blue and pink hyacinths blooming in the bathroom. Hyacinths in the bathroom are a sure sign of late winter in our house. It is still chilly inside and out.
But there is hope. The giant snowman across the street is looking a bit bedraggled and by nightfall may even be gone. I take this as a good sign, not only of warmer weather, but of nicer neighbors. Anybody who builds a snowman has to be nice. The house is a rental and some tenants turn out to be more welcome neighbors than others.
The sun is trying to come out. Cloudy days inspire lethargy, while sunny days prod us to get up and do something — anything other than just sitting. That bright yellow orb draws us outside like a magnet. We turn our faces to the warmth and feel the energy flowing through our souls.
With our energy renewed, it is time to get to work. Once the remnants of snow melt, it will be time to clean all the trash out of the bushes. Our shrubs tend to hoard whatever blows their way. They are especially fond of anything made of plastic or paper. I know they will smack me with their branches whenever I try to take their possessions away. They don’t believe that it is for their own good.
Most of us also resist things that are for our own good. I certainly do. So does my grandson, Nicholas. He currently has strep throat which he describes as, “Owie, ants!” while pointing to his throat. Any time his mom tries to give him medicine, he spits it back out. As she said, it’s going to be a long 10 days for the both of them. I just hope the other kids don’t catch it.
There are plenty of chores to be done outside and even more that should wait until the ground is completely thawed and not sodden.
Trampling on half-frozen soil only compacts it and makes it harder for any plant not classified as a weed to grow. Weeds don’t seem to mind less than ideal conditions.
There is lots to do indoors as well. The change in time gives us more daylight at the end of the day. More daylight lets us see the cobwebs we missed during the dark and cloudy winter. Plus the added promise of spring that doesn’t officially begin until next week urges us to make a clean sweep so that we can begin anew.
I am restless today. I want to clean out the house and eliminate unused possessions. I know that won’t actually happen because I hold on to stuff even tighter than the bushes do. One or two things will make it to the trash. Some will be mailed to Texas for the grandchildren. A few of my books will be shared with my daughter even though I know I will never read, or even see those books again.
I want to haul all the houseplants out onto the porch. It will be at least two months before it is safe for them to go out into the fresh air. Speaking of fresh air, I am yearning to open the windows. I know that it is way too soon for such foolishness but the sunshine is whispering enticing tales of warmth and summertime.
While the change to daylight saving time is the first tempting sign of spring, the hard fact is that it is still winter and far too early to let the outdoors in. Still, it isn’t too early to begin preparations for the upcoming season. I think I’ll go clean something now.[[In-content Ad]]