I hate spring. No, I LOVE spring…no I hate spring…

Let’s just say; it’s complicated

It has a been a long winter. Very long. Several times I’ve got excited about the fact I could finally see my (brown) lawn only to wake up to fresh white snow in the morning.

AHHH!

I’m itching to get outside and enjoy a little spring – literally. I’m sick. So sick. Snow mould is my worst allergy, followed by my second worst allergy which hits me when the tree buds just begin to open. My eyes are swollen and scratchy, my nose is red and chapped. I’m coughing and sneezing (and apparently becoming rather whiney). I look like absolute s***, so you know I’m going to run into someone from high school when I stop for gas.

But that’s ok. I’m just sick of winter!

Spring has always been a big deal around our household. Gone are the times that the boys put on rubber boots and splash pants so they could jump in puddles. These days are now replaced with older boys riding bikes through puddles with absolutely no rubberized gear to protect their expensive running shoes nor deflect that muddy splatter from their clothing – sigh. It’s funny how splashing in the mud never seems to lose its appeal.

Spring fever has also hit the furry member of our household. Our dog not only enjoys exploring some of the muddier parts of our yard but feels the need to run through the house and onto my favourite chair with his dirty little feet before I can get him wiped.

Why do I love spring again?

It’s the time of year we become reacquainted with our neighbours. Brisk temperatures and attached garages hide us away and I find myself struggling to even remember some of my neighbour’s names. But what’s his face next door waved at me yesterday and the lady with the black dog said hello…missed those guys!

We are big on neighbourhood spring clean-up. Perhaps it is ‘I’ who am big on it, but since I call the shots ‘WE’ head out into our street and neighbouring parks to pick up the trash that’s been hidden for months beneath the snow.

I can’t lie – I love it. Every dirty moment.

I love the fact that I can do something outside after months holed up in the house. I love the soggy, muddy, often smelly junk. It’s like an archaeology dig. You never know what you will find. There are the usual things; wrappers, cans, mitts, cigarette packs (…and porn time to time). We’ve stumbled onto things that I’ve had to educate my children not to touch; broken glass, lighters, the occasional latex-made product. Sadly, I’ve found a syringe or two over the years.

We’ve also found a few items that owners are certainly sorry they’ve lost. Lost toys, jewellery, keys – we have a strict ‘no keeping’ policy but it doesn’t take away from the fun of the treasure hunt.

The biggest thing we ‘find’ is that people see us cleaning and decide they should join in. I always keep extra bags. Every year without fail we’ve had at least one other person show up with gloves and a smile. I have yet to hear my kids complain that ‘it isn’t their mess’. We all understand that this little community clean up is just a necessary step in the gear up for summer process. They don’t want to see the trash in their green space any more than I do. It also keeps them mindful of their own impact on the environment. It’s sad to see how much trash is discarded on the ground. I will never understand how someone can be so disrespectful to the earth and its occupants.

So Spring and I have a complicated relationship but I love it unconditionally as you would an annoying family member…you know the one…

I encourage you to give up a little time, get some fresh air and go pick up some of the crap that is taking away from the beauty of your street. It’s a great way to meet you neighbours, do a great service for our planet and who knows, you might just find something special…ish.

Happy Spring!

D