Is it spring yet? Is it spring yet?

Kaity Holtman

I’m ready for spring.

Scratch that. I NEED spring.

I can hardly wait, I know it has to be coming soon.

But here’s the deal.

This is normal.

I’ve had many March birthdays that were covered in snow and bad weather. We had a normal February. And, really, this area was really lucky with how little snow and how few frigid days we actually had.

And that takes a lot to admit because I really dislike cold weather.

In fact, sometimes I wonder what made my ancestors settle here instead of Texas or Arizona, where it’s warm and dry and my hair does what I want it to do.

But normal or not, by the time the end of February rolls around, almost all of us are done with Old Man Winter.

We start dreaming of all of spring’s promises.

Green grass.

Warm temperatures.

Easter celebrations.

Bright colors.

Yard work.

Blooming flowers.

Baseball and golf.

Planting season.

Daylight Savings Time.

And then there are the things we won’t miss.

No more heavy coats.

No more letting cars warm up.

No more snow and single-digit temperatures.

OK, I guess I could list some things I’ll miss about winter, only for the sake of not being a “Debbie Downer.”

Holidays.

Carbohydrates.

Reading a book with coffee and a big blanket because it’s too cold to go outside.

Hmmm.

I guess that was it.

When I visit businesses, weather becomes a common topic of conversation. And while I feel like a broken record, it’s a new conversation to each of them. And I am sometimes afraid I leave a trail of negativity because I dislike winter so much.

If you’re a business that I’ve done that to, I do apologize.

One good thing about winter (see, I’m being positive!) is that it makes me appreciate the rest of the seasons that much more (ok, only a little positive).

Spring is a time of new beginnings, and I’m already beginning to see a few.

My dad, like many farmers, has quite a few calves running around. Stores have spring merchandise. I even saw little sprouts of iris in my flowerbed this morning.

And as spring comes along, Maryville springs back into action. Last week there was progress being made everywhere I turned. New windows in one building, United Fiber on many corners of Main Street, developments on the east side of town. Progress may get in the way sometimes, but like winter, seeing progress as it happens makes us appreciate the finished product that much more.

So here’s to progress and new beginnings, to sunshine and lifted spirits.