The Shift From Winter to Spring

Around here, the shift from winter to spring is a big deal.  It's THE topic of casual conversation.  For me, it occurs ....

1.  When I crack open my bedroom window for the first time.
2.  When I hear the first peepers down in the woods below my house--those small "chorus frogs."
3.  When I call my yard guy and we talk about when he'll come, take my pots, garden furniture, and hoses back outside, and mulch the peonies.
4.  When the first robins, cardinals, and chickadees appear.
5.  When the snowdrops bloom out under my azalea.
6.  When the first crocuses come up ... and with them, the first daffodil shoots.
7.  When we can make plans without some snow storm disrupting things.
8.  When I don't have to wear several layers at once.  Or my snow boots.
9.  When I put away my winter comforter.
10.  When I take my snow shovel off the porch and put it back in the garage.
11.  When all my snow has melted.  (That happened yesterday, Easter Sunday.)  And I can finally get out in the yard and tidy things up.
12.  When the crew calls to schedule its annual oil furnace cleaning.
13.  When the local farm stand opens (after closing Thanksgiving) ... with its display of pansies galore!

This First Sign of Spring thing is something I never paid any attention to growing up in southern California.  About all I did was stop wearing my brown tie-up shoes and get out my white sandals. Since we had blossoms year around, there was no such thing as "spring's first flower."  Here, of course, it's the snowdrop, followed by the crocus, followed by the daffodil.  Then, we're off and running!