March 2, 2001

     Spring is a special time of year

Each of us has something special that catches our attention and tells us spring is on its way or has arrived.  It might be the northern cardinal singing "what-cheer, cheer ...," the lengthening of daylight, open windows, kite flying, or tapping a maple tree.  It's the snowy hold of winter disappearing drop by drop at the beginning of spring and the exquisite fragrance of the lily-of-the-valley as spring draws to a close that makes spring so absorbing.  But whatever it is that gets us thinking spring, it lifts our spirits and nudges us forward in this period of newness.

Since Minnesota is in the temperate climatic zone, spring includes the months of March, April and May.  But there is a distinct difference between the usual snowy, blustery landscape of early March and the lush green woods and lawns of late May.  No doubt that's why the two words "awakening season" are used so often to explain what we mean by spring.

Some people like to divide spring into two parts.  First is the brief season between early March and early April when the scents of the moist earth begin, the maple trees are tapped, and the change in the nature of the sunlight draws people outdoors to feel the warm rays.

For many creatures, it's time to come out of cover into the light.  Late spring, or the second part of spring, is the time of lawn mowing, corn planting, hummingbird return, lilac blossoms, and young bluebirds leaving their nests.  There are so many changes in spring that at times it seems as though each day is a season in itself.