RAINBOWS ON MY MICROWAVE

I call this season "Sprinter".   Not quite winter and not quite all the way into Spring, regardless of what the calendar says and all that equinox business.  You know it's Sprinter from the following observations:

1)  Robins fighting/mating or just P.O.'d over the fact that they followed the calendar instead of the temperature and are fighting over the few worms (no doubt lethargic from their long winter's nap) that have managed to drag their squishy heads above the suddenly saturated underground.
2)  Snowsnorts - the leftover pieces of incredibly black snow that cling precariously to the sides of driveways, large rocks and extremely shady places. They are the sole survivors from the aggressive tactics of the "snow removers" who attack after each and every snowfall with plows, shovels and copious scatterings of rock salt. It is a semi-cannibalistic survival however, as the final snowsnorts rely on the weight and coverage of their unfortunate brethren who arrived last only to provide a haven and insulation to those who landed earlier. They totally suck the frigid aspects of those come-latelys as long as possible until an onslaught of above freezing days pulls the last bit of ice from their frigid veins.
3)  The arrival of shorts on, mostly adolescent Michiganders, when the first sprinter day above freezing raises it's promising head. There is something apparently shameful about actually wearing clothing and outer garments designed to keep their wearer warm one MINUTE after the temp goes into the 30's. These creatures can also be seen into December still sporting minimal clothing and also apparently owning no coats.  Though I do find it amusing on those really cold mornings, say 20 below, their Mommies and Daddies wait at the bus stop with them ensconced in a nice warm car until the bus show up.  They then spring forth absolutely dressed for summer which of course shows their macho toughness as they face the weather for a record 10.3 seconds to the bus and into the school.
4)  Lines at the car wash suddenly materialize followed by the amusing and futile drive home trying to avoid the inevitable Sprinter puddles (and left-over snowsnorts) in the road.
5)  The absolute shock when, of course, the lingering fingers of winter drop six inches on the newly warmed grass and pavement on April 10. The cursing that ensues generally helps melt the snow in record time and we and Mother Nature all have a good laugh about it.

However, you know the back of winter has been broken, Sprinter truly ends  and authentic Spring begins when one day you see a fuzzy, greenish haze settling over the trees. It is so fragile and you convince yourself it is an illusion.  But as the weeks progress the haze turns into beautiful, strong green leaves heralding true Spring.

Finally before it exits"Sprinter" also shows me a vision that only occurs at this time of year when the trees are still wearing their bare winter limbs yet the sun shines brightly all day.  The rainbow catcher that my Mother gave me many years ago catches the light and transforms my kitchen into a kaleidoscope of colors that dance across my kitchen. And she would have loved watching my grandson giggle as he darts around the room trying to catch the rainbows on my microwave....