How I know spring is coming

March 19, 2014 by Katie Noah Gibson

It’s not quite here yet. But it’s coming.

I’m seeing harbingers of the new season everywhere, including the following:

I spotted a plump robin in Harvard Yard the other day.
Sometimes it’s cold enough for my down coat in the mornings, but too warm for it by lunchtime. (Not that I’m complaining!)
Related: I can walk outside hatless without feeling like my ears are going to freeze off.
Some of the snow has melted, revealing bare earth – not beautiful, but a hopeful sign.
There are buds on some of the trees.
Since the clocks have sprung forward, sunset comes later.
I can wear tights that are not fleece-lined.
And sometimes, shoes that are not boots.
My new sunglasses are coming in handy.
On a recent Saturday, the air was so warm that I opened a few windows.
I’m getting the urge to reread Jane of Lantern Hill.
I’m hankering for asparagus, rhubarb and anything flavored with lemon.
Spring plans – like a trip to Texas, my husband’s birthday, and Commencement season at work – don’t seem quite so far away.

How is spring (or the anticipation of it) showing up where you are?

on March 19, 2014 at 8:47 am | Reply Ris

Amen to the “I can walk outside hatless without feeling like my ears are going to freeze off” Although sometimes it’s still that cold out in Pittsburgh.Boo.
- on March 19, 2014 at 9:49 am | Reply katieleigh
  
  Sometimes it’s still that cold in Boston too. But the warmish days are becoming more common!
on March 19, 2014 at 10:23 am | Reply Catherine

I live north of the city, so we have a few (very few) patches of brown earth. The other night I was shocked that it was 7:45 – I could still see out my living room window. It’s the little victories 🙂
on March 19, 2014 at 5:18 pm | Reply Nina Badzin

In Minneapolis we don’t know, but we hope. There is the familiar late March communal malaise of “we can’t take it anymore” and “it will probably keep snowing so we better buck up.” It makes us a sturdy people. 😉
on March 19, 2014 at 7:42 pm | Reply Christie

The chickens are laying more eggs. 🙂
on March 20, 2014 at 5:39 am | Reply Eagle-Eyed Editor

I saw some purple crocuses in the backyard yesterday. An interesting contrast since the other side of the yard is still covered in snow!

I love Jane of Lantern Hill. Such a great book — I love reading about Jane’s transformation by living on PEI.