Slip-sliding into Spring...

March 2007

Okay, so I’m sitting here, looking at snow and ice, dreading the moment when I’m going to have to leave my nice, warm house to pick up my daughter at school.

It’s not that it’s a far drive, and I do it every day, but really. It’s the leaving and stepping out into the unwelcoming terrain of a Mid-Atlantic state’s winter that’s awful.

We all know that we were spoiled. It was way too warm for way too long this season. We were all lulled into a false sense of security— oh, winter’s almost over; we’re going to get off easy this time. No snow, no ice, no frigid temperatures.

Just when you think you’re out of the woods.

There have been moments these last several weeks, when I could easily have imagined barricading myself inside, surfacing only for additional supplies of food and drink, which I seem to be inhaling all of the time. If only we humans could get the entire hibernation process down, including the part about sleeping through the winter and waking only after our metabolisms have ploughed through our stored food reserves (also known as the unflattering spare tire around my mid-section).

However, we persist in our resolve to battle Mother Nature, never quite catching on to the fact that she always prevails. We slog our way through the muck, determined to come out the other end, perhaps not slimmer, but nonetheless eager to shed our seven extra layers of clothing and feel the sun once again.

And just to keep us in the game, right about the time when we think our last shred of sanity will be lost to early darkness, our Earth Mother teases us with an extra minute of daylight at the end of each day. A taunt, but a promise, too.

A promise of warmer days, sunshine, balmy breezes and, truth be told, far too much exposed epidermis, but that won’t really hit home until we find ourselves lolling on our beloved beaches taking in the scenery—the good, the bad and the ugly. (When even a trip to the mailbox requires a coat, scarf and gloves, it’s hard to imagine anyone ever walks around outside in little pieces of fabric the size of cocktail napkins, but it’s coming, trust me.)

However, despite the temptation to hunker down for the next few weeks, going out into the world is essential for a number of reasons.

First, that stale bag of potato chips and the box of rock-hard mini donuts in the back of the kitchen cabinet no longer qualify as food. Though their nutritional value was always questionable, the fact that they are also entering their third or fourth month of hibernation now makes them more suitable as construction materials. For far more tasty options, flip through these pages and visit one of the fabulous restaurants advertised. I guarantee a far more pleasing culinary experience than any you’ll currently find at home.

Second, take a look in the mirror. Frighteningly enough, that oddly colored complexion staring back does belong to you. Though it’s far too early to count on the sun to give us all a much needed shot of warming color, it’s never too soon to turn our faces skyward and dream. And while you’re out and about, pick up a few new outfits. That always makes me feel better.

Finally, there’s nothing like seeing a little life to bring one back to life. If you stay inside any longer, you risk atrophying into a piece of furniture.

Come out, come alive and have some fun. Spring is just about sprung!