First Day of Spring: What Are You Looking Forward to in Newton?

If you've got a skier in the family, most likely they could be found cheering each and every time it snowed this winter. Same goes for other winter-sports enthusiasts. 

But I know there are plenty of people out there waiting for warmer weather.

It may not look or feel like it outside, but spring officially began in the Northern Hemisphere today, March 20, at 7:02 a.m. However, the latest half-foot of snow we received yesterday is not exactly indicative of an end to winter. 

But signs of spring were in the air recently; remember about a week and half ago when we had sunny days and temperatures around 50 degrees? Most snow from the previous storm melted, and it felt like perhaps spring was here. I saw people running errands without jackets, and there was that muddy smell of spring in the air. 

Iced coffee? Farmers' markets? A walk in the park? What do you enjoy most about spring in Newton? Tell us in the comments section below. It is the Garden City, after all. 

If anything, this week we can take comfort in how quickly that last foot of snow melted — perhaps we will be rewarded again with a quick thaw. I've seen the ice on local waterways come and go, shrink and grow, with the changing temperatures. It won't be long before we're back to fishing, swimming, canoeing and kayaking on our ponds, rivers, lakes and streams. 

So when exactly will that warmer weather happen? I don't know. But I do find the changing of seasons to be an exciting time. Watching winter give way to spring, summer yield to fall, and the cycle continues. I get excited for what New England has to offer next — blooming buds, heat waves, foliage, first snow flakes.

Today, I'm officially saying goodbye to winter on this first day of spring, though winter hangs on. I can throw one last snowball and hear the crunch of snow under my boots, but I can also listen to birds singing in the trees and look forward to the next phase of life in our natural world.