Top 10 Signs of Spring
The signs of spring extend beyond budding leaves and emerging tulips. On this, the first day of a most welcome season, here are the Top 10 signs that spring is surely in the air.
10. Birds- When there's a 30-minute wait at your bird bath, it’s safe to bid farewell to winter. For birders, these binoculars and spotting scopes will make sure you catch all the seasonal action.
9. Fishing- Time to take down those ice fishing shelters and head for terra firma. If there's any ice left in your neck of the woods, chances are you're risking a swim with the fishes you're trying to catch.
8. Basketball- Whether it's college hoops reaching its crescendo or kids heading out for a game of horse in the driveway, the sights and sounds of this "winter sport" in March are all indications of spring.
7. Lawn Games- When bocce balls roll and shuttlecocks take flight, you can take heart that the days of the snowman are past.
6. Daylight- For the first week or two after springing clocks forward, you may find yourself astonished at the lingering evening sun. If you really want to be mesmerized, check out a Geochron clock for proof that lighter days are upon us.
5. Nightlight- When Orion sets out on his antipodean hunt, that's a sign winter is in the rearview. This is the time of year when the Northern Hemisphere's winter constellations dip below the horizon to make way for spring harbingers Virgo, Leo, and Hydra.
4. Grills- For die-hards, there's no such thing as a grilling off-season. But as more and more warm-weather grillers uncover their grills, the nostalgic, spring-and-summer smell of outdoor cooking fills the air. If you're looking to grill something special to greet the season, check out these creative grill recipes and beer pairings.
3. Beer- Speaking of beer, you won't find my kegerator stocked with winter warmers and hearty Lenten bocks as we move toward warmer days. The light, crisp kolsch homebrew that I kegged last night tells me that the season of warmer evenings and blonder beers is upon us.
2. Hammocks- Watching hammocks come forth from hibernation is a heartening sight. As lawns get greener and require mowing once again, there's no better springtime reward for a job well done than some time in the hammock.
1. Flip-Flops- At NetShops, the flip-flop has gradually come to symbolize our casual culture. As the mercury rises, you'll see no shortage of this free-spirited footwear around our office. And today, the flip-flops are already out in force.