Best Time of The Year

I absolutely love this time of the year. It isn't quite spring but some days we get glimpses of warmth and reminders that winter is coming to an end. I think some people think it is a really ugly time, because the grass is brown and matted down, and things seem dirty, but I love it. It's time to start anticipating the bulbs poking shoots up through the mud, and buds starting to form on the lilacs. It's time for the grass to start thinking about photosynthesizing again. And it may very well snow again, but you know that the following day could easily be warm enough to forgo a coat. I don't know if it is the anticipation of plenty of good outdoor time to come or the relief that we survived another winter that make me love this transition time. But whatever the reason, I can't think of anything better than the days when we can throw on a jacket and get outside and rediscover the fun of bike riding, scooters, swings, slides, climbing trees, and going to the park. It may be the only time of year when mud tracked through the house makes me excited. I'm starting to eye my garden plot, thinking about planting spinach seeds and other cool weather crops. And at the same time there are still some good ski days to be had (for the kids, not for me, lest any of you think I actually got into skiing.) This time of year makes me feel sorry for those that live in climates that never experience the four seasons. Mid-winter I'm jealous, but now you couldn't pay me to do without them.