When the World is Puddle-Wonderful ...

(Name that poem)

Signs that Spring Has Arrived:

1. My children play outside for hours. It helps that the neighbor has a trampoline and an open-gate policy. .

2. The Professor does his semi-annual rant about Daylight Savings Time. Sometimes he actually writes to our Congressperson about it. Sometimes he just threatens to. It's an important family tradition, I guess.

3. Trees that looked barren a week ago have burst into blossom. Particularly the Bradford Pears. Beauty and pollen allergies walk hand in hand.

4. I begin working in my flower garden again, pondering spiritual parallels and making mental apologies to our home's former owner, who had the time and know-how to keep the landscaping in tiptop condition. (When we bought the house, he made us a TWO HOUR VIDEO about how to take care of the house and grounds. I'm still waiting for the Professor to make the popcorn for that one.)

5. I think about spring cleaning. Then I go outside and read a book.

6. I feel a deep sense of gratitude that we longer reside in my state of origin, where March usually comes in like a lion ... and goes out like one too. Believe me, when you live in New England, by the time March rolls around you are JUST SO READY for winter to be over. The cold is old. The snow is old. The short short days are old. The slush is old. The hacking cough is old. But wait! There is still MARCH to live through! It's like a cruel joke, somewhat akin to our infernal Septembers.

7. My toenails have been painted, flip-flop ready, and are exactly the color you might expect when a four year old insists on choosing the new nail polish. Out of respect for my readers, I'll spare you a photo. Just picture ten little piggies chewing pink bubblegum.

8. The mourning doves have returned to serenade us through our still-cool mornings.

9. Warm-weather clothes emerge from their boxes, like old friends that have, after a few months' welcome absence, become new again.