Spring began March 20th they say? Balderdash! Another reason I put no faith in astrological signs or the folks who study (worship?) ‘em. Not the ones the astro-comical scientists reference so fondly. And even less, the ones those astrologically impaired zodiacal folks “analyze”.

 Spring extends from the vernal equinox to summer solstice, the scientists say. Those other practitioners ponder zodiac signs (or dead frogs, spider legs and bat entrails?). In order to discern what’s been or what’s coming? Squatting in their dim lit lairs tapping out their predictions most of ‘em probly won’t see spring ‘til october (when some witch flies by and hollers “Happy Halloween”.

 These “practitioners” performin’ their fallacious intellectual gyrations to come up with the “truth” of the season (or the future?). It amazes me so many folks pay attention to either? But where there’s hope (and a few bucks involved) there are the ever present gullible. Thousands of years of practice and both still tell you lies, yet people go on hopefully believing. Why, even the TV weather prognosticators are more reliable!
 I know exactly when spring starts. Today! 'cuz it’s finally nearin’ 70 degrees! Nearly a month late (again) here in good ole northeast Pennsylvania. To me, seems the cold breath of old man winter’s been around for years, not months.

Finally! I see the trees riotously popping those little rust colored buds on each branch tip. For weeks melancholy little crocuses have been trying to smile along the front of the house. Today I see they’re grinnin’ up at the sun, nearly as pleased as me!

 I went out and sat in the sun. Allowing the breeze run it’s warm, gentle fingers through my hair, I didn’t even bother trying to argue it back in place. I’d donned long pants (no fleece-lining!) and light shirt (without thermals). No insulated boots, no woolen socks, no rabbit fur gloves. Yep, I still wear fur and leather (just as mother nature prescribed since man started walking upright).

 I studied the area curiously quite a spell before I realized what was missing? That last vestige of cinder-filled, frozen snow was gone from the corner of the yard! Joy welled up in my heart, my chest swelled with warm spring air, tears filled my..., (just kidding, no tears). I coughed and stumbled back into the house.

I put the boots (all of ‘em) away in the back room. Winter coats, hats, scarves now hang way back in the dark closet where they belong. Hopin’ not to glimpse ‘em again until next november (or whenever another of them "equinoxes" rears it’s ugly head). I’ve kept the rabbit fur, deer-skin gloves nearby. Me bein’ blessed with bony, cold, numb fingers from November ‘til May every year. The gloves get a reprieve from storage, least until summer actually brings on sweaty toes in my old sneakers. All the rest of that winter crap is now out of sight and happily out of mind!

The oncoming respite from cold (however brief) is the happiest time of year for me! I’ll spend a good deal of my outdoor time these first few weeks watchin’ spring welcome in the summer.

 Soon enough, the daffodils will come! And those little red buds on the trees will push out tiny, bright green leaves. They’ll grow and darken on the trees until they’re finally fully clothed in all their summer finery. Inexorably the lilacs will push enough warm spring water up those spindly, frozen branches to burst out in purple and white bloom!
 Whoopee! Glorious summer will arrive! By then I’ll be rid of the gloves, at least during those balmy daylight hours. (makin’ me a bit balmy, contemplatin’ it!).

 You gittin’ the idee by now that I relish this temperate time of year? You’d be right! I spent many years enjoying the warmth of our southern states. When I’d moved to south Florida years back, the natives told me it would take ‘bout three years for my blood to “thin out” in their weather (ie. Heat). It did, and I reveled in it! Did you know cold beer effects the system faster with thin (humanly warm) blood? Neither did I, but it made for cheap entertainment down there.

 No one warned me that returning home to northeast Pennsylvania, it would take years to get “re-acclimated” to the weather (grow cold-blooded agin’). Meanwhile, I’m well-nigh closin’ out my second decade back here..., And I’m still cold!

 I don’t know about you..., I’m jest so tickled ole man winter’s moved on, I wouldn’t mind if another equinox slapped me upside the head.

Cal Teeple, founder and sole fulltime member of the Observational Cogitation Consortium may often be spotted three stools down from you. He may be ignored, accosted or contacted at: twinews@wayneindependent.com.