Between seasons

It's the tail end of March now, technically spring, but if you drive around in the right places and see a hidden shady spot, you might still see icicles, or at least remnants of them. We saw some dripping from a rocky ledge along an exit ramp of Route 9 the other day in Haddam. Snow has passed. Grass isn't growing yet. We're between seasons in New England.

It's nice just to be through with winter, something that New Englanders just endure, and people are greatly anticipating warmer temperatures for purposes of better mental health. The weather guy mentions "60 degrees" and people get downright giddy. Kids start coming to school in shorts and shortsleeves these days, even though it's been in the 40s and 50s. They say they're not cold. They'd wear sandals and tank tops if they could. In their mind, it's beach season.

The transition of seasons is a good thing for lazy property owners like me because it means that no yard maintenance needs to be done. No snow to blow, no grass to mow. Of course, people are already raking debris from their yards into neat little piles (they must be bored) and some are spreading grass seed, fertilizer, and trimming bushes.

I, meanwhile, am making every effort to watch college basketball. UConn, amazingly, is still in the NCAA tournament, making it to the Final Four.

The good thing about this time of year - after having been cooped up for way too long for the winter - is that days are longer and warmer temperatures means outdoor sports and recreation are once again possible. Biking, tennis, basketball. We can walk to the baseball field down the street to watch a game. The world opens up again.

Of course, the downside is allergy season. I have severe spring allergies, sneezing profusely at pollen and mold, and 'tis the season for that. Last year, I started taking Nettles, an all-natural pill containing an herblike weed or something - I must REALLY trust the woman at Whole Foods - and so far it's worked wonders, better than prescriptions. Last year was not terrible allergy-wise, knock on wood.

So I plan to pop Nettles pills again this year with great enthusiasm and see where it takes me. As long as it enables me to taste my food and not sneeze emphatically so as to snap my neck, I'll be satisfied.