It’s the time of year when even the birds are excited the air is warming up and the flowers are blooming again.  

If spring hasn’t fully sprung yet, it’s definitely springing now.  

Several days recently have been so nice that I wished the windows at the newspaper office opened so we could enjoy the breeze. At night, when it doesn’t get too cold, I’ll put a box fan in the window to draw that spring air into the house.  

I guess it goes without saying: I enjoy spring. My allergies might protest a little, but that’s why they invented Zyrtec.  

I enjoy a lot of things about the season – mostly the fact that it doesn’t hurt to step outside anymore. As much as I love dressing in layers, the bitter cold of February is something I have to endure, rather than something I enjoy.  

While I had fun in the snow that covered Hartselle a few weeks ago, I’m glad it’s gone now and we can see some color returning.  

I’ve noticed recently that once things start blooming again after the months of cold weather, the spring colors are more vibrant and beautiful than I remember. As it turns out, there is some science behind that. My husband – who, like his grandfather, is a farmer – told me the longer the snow stays on the ground, the better it is for the grass. It helps oxygenize the soil and re–energizes it.  

The fields between Hartselle and Center Star are showing out after how much snow the Shoals got this past month. A field that once bore three inches of snow for days is now a vibrant green and full of life. If the temperature gauge hadn’t read 34 degrees, I would have believed it to be the middle of May just by how beautiful the scenery was.  

I’m loving the warmer weather and the blooming daffodils. Spring does my heart good.  

And it won’t be long before it’s time to get back out on the water. I think that is one of my favorite things to do. I’m craving a boat day right now. Out on the Tennessee River on a pontoon boat with a few good friends – it really doesn’t get any better than that.  

Welcome spring!