Springtime on its way

VERNON — Chomping at the seasonal bit, Mother Nature’s sons and daughters in Sussex County are awaiting this week’s coming of Spring.
Hopefully, the towering snow piles at the bottom of our driveways will be gone, as will the secretive patches of black ice, brine striped roadways and minus degree temperatures. The big day was March 20 at 5:58 p.m. The spring equinox, also called the vernal or March equinox marks the change of season for the warmer. On equinox day, the length of day and night are relatively equal and after the spring equinox, the Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the Sun giving us sunnier, warmer and longer days while the Southern Hemisphere heads into their autumn.
The vernal equinox summons life renewed, a resurgence of activity. Many religion and cultures observe spring celebrations like Passover and Easter.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac many earthly clues announce the arrival of Spring. The first spring bloomers are usually crocuses while all trees, flowers and shrubs are temperature sensitive and begin their sprouting process. Increasing sunlight activates the singing of the birds. Worms emerge from the earth. Increasingly warmer temperatures allow both humans and animals to shed heavy winter coats.
As we gratefully stow away the snow shoves and snowblowers and lavish in the anticipated warmth of Spring, let us remember a quote by the late Robin Williams that holds true to springtime: “Spring is nature’s way of saying, Let’s party!”