IT'S SPRING

We have a friendly contest in my family each year to herald Spring. Whoever spots the first legitimate robin and posts a picture of said robin gets bragging rights for the year.  Cannot be on the wing or too fuzzy to guess what it is. Since the accusation of fake robins on the wing one year, the rules have tightened somewhat. However I understand this year's winner tempted life and limb in a bank drive thru to obtain the prize winning picture so we're giving it to her.

I have changed the wreath on my front door as my grudging admission that yes, we have broken the back of winter's wrath.  That is not to say we won't have 8 inches of snow the first week of April, but as a seasoned Michigander, I know that is merely a last teaser from Mother Nature.  Yes, Ma'am we know you are in charge, but really this is it right? This winter was rather coy with days and weeks of warm weather and very few snowstorms. 

We did experience some rather dicey icy days that gave the school kids their days off.  I swear, sounding like an old person, we did not have that many days off when I was a schooler in Grand Rapids because we knew IT WAS WINTER and you get bad weather.  I think it is the proliferation of more buses, facebook and twitter that has galvanized parents to complain and threaten school officials if their little precious has to get their little "feets" wet or wear a winter coat.  Currently most teens wear flip flops and no coats through the winter so I see the parents' point. Though I still don't know why I pay so much for buses when literally 100s of parents drop and pick up their kids rather than subject them to the bus.

However I really believe in Spring when I see the chipmunk emerge from under the deck, or wherever he hides out during the winter and watch the squirrels cavorting across the yard and up and down the trees in wild pursuit.  I assume the squirrels are couples or they could be chasing some new tail, so to speak.  Hard to tell as with most species other than my own they all look alike to me. Much chatter occurs when the chasee believes the chaser is not committed to the game. Much like taunting or trash talking at a sporting event. I never see the finale or consummation of that mad dash around the yard, but I assume it is fruitful as new smaller squirrels emerge at a later date. 

I have to believe if they think it's time to bring new life into the world and chances of survival are good, then all is well.