March 1

I've always looked forward to March 1. It's not necessarily a special date, but one I am very glad to see when it comes around.

It's the time when Miss Spring decides that her house guest, Winter, has worn out his welcome and is getting on her nerves. The below freezing temperatures, sunless days and bleak landscape are more than she can take. It's the time when she decides that her subtle hints of packing suitcases and checking flight schedules aren't working. Her politeness is not getting through his frozen, stubborn mind. After all, you can't blame him. Winter is old and does not like change. It's time to shift tactics.

Soon, very soon Winter will get the picture that he is not wanted anymore. Even he can't ignore the eviction notice nailed to his door. He will protest with some frigid cold, blustery wind and driving snow. "You can't get rid of me!" he will shout with his fist raised in the air. But Miss Spring is strong. She knows his protests won't last long. And soon, very soon his howling will fade. And with his shoulders slumped in resignation and his face painted in a scowl he will pack up his ice, his snow, his cold, stomp out of the house and slam the door behind him. "Well," Miss Spring will say to herself, "I did try to be polite."

She will not be denied.