Spring Officially Begins Friday, March 20th. I Am Beyond Ready Given This Winter!
After this week’s blizzard dumped another 18+ inches of snow (on top of the icy 10 inches already there), I found myself scanning travel websites with a rabidness I’d kept at bay since returning from Costa Rica in January. Our trip was just 3 weeks ago, but it feels more like 5 months ago. What a winter it’s been!
Winter 2026 has been similar to those I experienced annually as a northeastern U.S. child—lots of snow for sledding and frozen ponds ready for skating. If I wasn’t in school, I was outside like every other kid. But, truth be told, winter was never a favorite season for me. That’s still true today.
Now, as an adult, I avoid anything outdoors like the plague. Go for a quick walk with the dog and my husband? No thanks. I’m super busy doing something, anything, or nothing. Run to the grocery store for that spice? Nope. No one will notice it missing from the recipe. And, if there’s a complaint, the complainer gets to be the chef tomorrow. Go out to dinner? Only if they have decent parking, so we won’t have to walk more than ten car lengths to the entrance. Even going to the gym and sweating a bit sounds too cold to me right now.
Blizzard Days Are Snow Days On Steroids
The day of a blizzard feels different than a regular snow day. There’s a bit more justification for taking it easy and giving into the reality that no one is going anywhere—everyone is off the roads, people may work remotely unless they lose power, and everyone hunkers down until the storm passes.
Thoughts Naturally Turn to Spring
If the winter season includes one too many snowstorms or too many days of below-zero temperatures, your mind will naturally turn to the thought of spring. It’s a coping mechanism—like heading to the bar for a strong alcoholic beverage when someone with differing political views can’t seem to read the room correctly.
My perennial garden starts to come alive starting with Carpet Phlox and Pot of Gold. (Photo: Edie Kramer)
Start thinking of spring, and the mantra, ’Spring is around the corner,’ starts repeating in your brain. So why not start preparing for better weather while cooped up during the final weeks of winter?
Here are a few things you can do:
While wearing fleece from head to toe, claim it’s the latest in high fashion, particularly when covered in Golden Retriever fur. However, scan a few of your favorite clothing websites—sales will start soon, and just seeing brighter colors will make you (and possibly your wallet) feel lighter.
Start planning a spring-themed party with your close friends. Create a spring cocktail (with a clever name) to celebrate. Same for the appetizers. Carve hard-boiled eggs into tulips just opening and call them ‘tulip eggs’ instead of ‘deviled eggs’ even though they’ll taste the same. Doesn’t that sound like spring? Ask everyone to shed the fleece and wear spring clothes—short-sleeve golf shirts and floral dresses shout ‘spring’. Call the party, ‘Cocktails without Coats’. Add a few flowering bulbs in pots to your interior decor.
Start planning your garden—flower and/or vegetable—and make a list of what you will need and when they will be available at your local garden shop. Some shrubs and perennials arrive earlier than others. Don’t forget soil prep requirements.
If you need any heavy lifting done this spring in your yard (shrubs planted, a new lawn with loam, walkways repaved, or a pool repair/significant maintenance), start calling contractors for estimates and timelines.
If you don’t have any booked yet, start planning a spring or summer getaway. Book flights and accommodations. You’d be surprised how early some popular places book up.
Spring’s here in less than three weeks!
