Ten things to like about spring
Today is the first day of spring, our nation’s favorite season.
According to a survey by You Gov, Americans like spring best of all seasons. Why? Warmer weather. Wildlife returns. Longer days. Spring cleaning. Gardening. Spring (27 percent) nudged summer (26 percent) and fall (25 percent) as American’s favorite season.
Just 8 percent of Americans prefer winter. I figure they live in San Diego. Or work for North Face.
Spring is not my favorite season, although I’m ready for longer evenings, warmer weather and the start of baseball season.
Anything is better than January and February, the most dark, miserable months of any year.
Fall is my favorite season. Harvest moons. Hot chocolate. Shorts and sweatshirts. I’m not alone. The survey points out that fall is our favorite season here in the Midwest (33 percent).
In my world of favorites, in order, it’s fall, summer, spring, winter.
I’m glad it’s spring, but there are a few things I don’t like about it. Allergies. Bugs. Rain. Spring cleaning? Tip: Clean during January and February when there’s nothing else to do. When spring arrives, put away the broom and mop and get out the golf clubs and your bike.
Winter is favored by more men (12 percent) than women (5 percent) as a favorite season. Pick your joke here. I don’t mind winter. But the older I get, the more I understand snowbirds. The survey points out there’s more enthusiasm for spring among older generations (54-plus). Yep. We’re tired of dressing in layers.
Spring cleaning (40 percent) and gardening (40 percent) are at the top of Americans’ agendas this spring, along with undertaking do-it-yourself projects (25 percent) and getting rid of unwanted furniture and home décor items (24 percent).
I hope to avoid cleaning and gardening this spring, as well as any do-it-yourself projects. I have ham-shaped hands. No such thing as a do-it-yourself project in my world.
What do I like best about spring?
Cardinals baseball on the radio. We may be the last generation to listen to baseball on the radio. I do it for nostalgic reasons. I grew up with a transistor radio tuned in to KMOX, with Jack Buck and Mike Shannon painting the game to me.
The world turns from brown to green. I enjoy watching the transformation of yards and trees. I don’t enjoy cutting grass like I used to, though. I’d much rather be riding my bike or playing golf. I especially enjoy seeing patches of wild flowers along the highway. There’s not much else along Illinois interstates.
Birds return. I don’t like the surprise messes left on my black car. But I like looking out the kitchen window, seeing a Cardinal because I know the baseball Cardinals will win that night. How do I know? My grandpa told me when I was a kid.
Evening bike rides. There’s something therapeutic about getting on my bike and riding 5 to 10 miles along the back roads after work.
Sunday morning golf. We usually tee off early and get home around noon. The golf’s not always so good, but the friendships can’t be beat.
Hockey playoffs. I’m becoming optimistic that the Blues can get past the first round this year.
Art on the Square. It’s a showcase event for downtown Belleville. I enjoy walking around, looking at the talent, and thinking, “How did they ever do that?”
Easter Sunday. My two favorite things about Easter — the little chocolate eggs and seeing small children in their new Easter outfits. It makes me reminisce about my childhood Easter outfits. There was usually a tear in the pants and stain on the shirt by dinner.
Graduations. Whether I have a graduate in the family or not, I like the season. It brings families together. It’s an end and a beginning. I like reading about the commencement addresses from rich, famous people who were “C” students.
March Madness. Does anything captivate the sports audience more than the annual college basketball tourney? I don’t think so. Count how many times you’re asked, “How’s your bracket?”
This story was originally published March 18, 2016 at 4:32 PM with the headline "Ten things to like about spring."