When It All Melts Away

The March/April issue of Yankee Magazine features many of the more positive first signs of spring—maple festivals, swan boats, flower shows. But this time of year isn’t all bright yellow daffodils or rows of tulips in red, pink, and violet. In fact for those who suffer from SSAD—Shoulder Season Affective Disorder—it’s tough. Okay, so there is no official SSAD, but Seasonal Affective Disorder does afflict people during different seasons, not only winter, though winter seems to rank highest in cases of SAD. As I am sure you know, early spring in New England is also referred to as mud season. The snow is gone, but it’s a little too early and too mushy to hike or bike on trails. There are still bits of ice in nearby lakes and ponds. Oh sure, the tough guys and gals are out there white water kayaking in super thick wetsuits or dry suits or whatever it is that keeps then from freezing to death. But not me. When I go for a short run around the neighborhood in early spring, I bask in the stages of melt. In more specific detail, that means once the snow disappears I see lots of dog poo, old trash, and partially decomposed leaves. Those are the true first signs of spring for me. But there is an upside. Yesterday I saw a sweet old gentleman raking his lawn. Sure, the grass was not close to green, but his yard looked so clean and neat—free of dog poo and trash. If you are still skiing, be sure to look around the ski racks and under chairlifts as the snow melts. Sure, you’ll see lots of beer cans and candy wrappers, but you just might score some single gloves (hey two single gloves just may make a pair), or a handkerchief, or even some loose change. I found a wet ten dollar bill once. Ah, spring.