Spring Has, Indeed, Springed

Ah, yes, it's spring in Wisconsin, that time of year when there is no more beautiful place on the face of the earth. The wild flowers are in magnificent bloom, the bass are on their spawning beds, robins, cardinals and rose breasted grosbeaks are doing first-light concerts that you really shouldn't miss.

Then there are the potholes. They are nearly impossible to miss. I am certain that before summer really gets into full swing, I will be pulled over for drunk driving when all I was doing was attempting to circumnavigate the huge craters left by mother nature over the winter.

It's the season of rhubarb. Is there anything more decadent than a freshly baked rhubarb custard pie, warm from the oven and topped with real whipped cream?

It is also the season of the outdoor grill, rolled out of its place of hibernation in the furthest reaches of the garage, diligently scrubbed with oven cleaner and steel wool, ready to accept the first sacrifices of summer. The first bite of a well turned Wisconsin beer brat on a sesame-seed wheat brat bun, slathered with Eau Claire's own Silver Spring Gardens horseradish-laced brat mustard is an OCCASION.

And is there anything more comforting than a soft, quiet, late spring twilight, when you can be stretched out on a deck chair, gin and tonic at the ready, the steady hum of the neighbors lawn mower in the near distance, and the smell of freshly mowed grass filling your olfactory nerves?

This is that magic time when the mosquitos have not yet begun to hatch and plunder when you can actually accomplish the above.

Thunder storms that awaken you in the middle of the night and leave you even more snug in your bed; gentle all day warm soaking rains that leave the air charged with sweet smelling positive ions, followed by sudden sunlight and sweeping rainbows: all contribute to our paradise.

Spring. When the male of the species once again realizes that Wisconsin women do, in fact, have breasts! All winter they hid under coats, jackets and sweaters. but now: TADA! TATAS! Thank you, Lord!

Note: If you are offended by the above, tough TATAS! I may be old, but I ain't dead yet!

I love spring! But not any more than any of the other three definite seasons we have in this great state. I love spring because it follows winter. If we had no winter, would we love spring less? I think so.