Thank Goodness For Spring

We had it relatively easy this winter. We had maybe one or two bad storms after New Year's Day. And even the snowfall of December was fine (snowfall in December is always fine). But, as it happens every year when the little month ends and the bipolar month begins, I start to get the itch for warmth, for green, for Spring.

I call March the bipolar month for two reasons (no pun intended). First, the cliche about March -- in like a lion, out like a lamb -- has a connotation of two extremes. Second, and more personally, it is the month that historically I'd always awakened from winter gloom to spring mania.

I get spring fever. It penetrates deep inside my soul, reawakens dormant dreams and ideas, and fills me with excitement. I wake up now and drive to the train station in sunlight. I walk to Grand Central after work and still it's shining.

Heavy coats are replaced by jackets. Heavy sauces and foods are replaced by fresh artichokes and asparagus. The worst sports month is replaced by spring training and, this year, the WBC (How 'bout that Korean team, huh?).

Summer has always been my favorite season, and Autumn is the best food and most scenic season. But Spring to me is as wonderful as any time of year. I feel like biking, or kayaking, or fishing, or playing catch. Anything outside, where I can breathe the fresh air and shed the last of the winter stagnation from my body.

Yes. I've caught the fever.

Thank goodness.