10 reasons to get excited about spring

The meteorological spring started on March 1, but the calendar shows that spring starts on March 20, which is the spring equinox. Whatever date you go by, this list is for you, especially if you live in a climate where winter has been brutal. I might have ten feet of snow outside of my door right now, but I'm ready for spring! 1. Daylight Saving Time. Just when you thought you couldn't take another long, cold night, you get a reprieve. On Sunday, March 9, 2014 we spring ahead. You might lose an hour of sleep (unless you have kids, in which you've already kissed sleep goodbye) but you get more daylight. 2. Talking to other humans. Often during the winter, we're hunkering in our caves AKA houses or apartments and don't really see one another as often. At the most, I might wave and yell, "Hello!' to an unidentifiable person in a huge coat as I'm shuffling kids into the house. In spring everyone slowly creeps outside and you begin talking to each other like normal human beings again. 3. Birds singing. I've heard Cardinals and Chickcadees this winter, but it's not the full choir of birds you hear on spring mornings. You know when you walk out on a spring morning and you actually feel some warmth on your face and hear birds singing? It just has to be a good day.

4. Tulips and daffodils. I love these flowers. I love them for their beauty, but also that they signify warm and sunny days to come. Also, tulips are the best smelling flower in my opinion, followed by jasmine. 5. This song. Lilia learned the words to this song in kindergarten. I never really paid much attention to all of the lyrics until then. You want a song about eternal spring and happiness? Listen to each lyric and enjoy.

6. Or this song. Spring is part of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. Most people have heard this piece, but when you picture snow melting and flowers blooming, it becomes something greater this time of year.

7. Thunderstorms. I know. I don't want any more grey days, but I want rain? Yes! Crazy, crashing thunderstorms complete with rumbling

windows and bolts of lightning. 8. Baby everything. Last spring we visited a farm where we held baby sheep and goats. The kids bottle fed a calf. It's like a cute, furry wonderland out there in spring. 9. No snow pants and giant coats. Coats, hats, gloves, scarves, snow pants and boots have become the bane of my existence. Somebody could get lost in our collection sitting next to the door. Give me a light jacket and consider it a glorious day. 10. Open windows. When we first moved into our house, only a few windows would open. They were very old and the previous owner super glued many of them shut, so yeah. When we finally shopped for new windows, the salesman asked, "What are you looking for in your windows?" Without missing a beat, Fran and I said, "We want them to open." An open window on a beautiful day. I couldn't ask for more. Happy Spring! Some of these also made my 35 reasons it's great to be alive list! Read it here on There are a millions things worse than a birthday. To read more about The New Abides and our adventure to do one new thing, every day, for an entire year, please follow on Facebook and Twitter. To subscribe to The New Abides, type your email address in the box and click the "create subscription" button. My list is completely spam free, and you can opt out at any time.