When do YOU know Spring is almost here?!

[Bertha Venation]

Oh. My. God. We have irises coming up in the front yard -- fruit of Mrs. V.'s hard labor last year. Last night I put food out for the strays, and saw Orion taking his late winter header into the western horizon. Although it's just 51F at 9:25, I have the office window open because I am so feverish -- and the birds are going mad with anticipation and delight. I've heard blue jays, grackles, doves, cardinals, little birds that go "chipchipchipchip," and woodpeckers -- singing and drilling. Harry & Toby are fighting a war of passive-aggression over the windowsill. Toby's the current victor.

Oh -- and of course, those four little words from about ten days ago: pitchers and catchers report!

What sets your nerves to buzzing? How do you know spring is almost here?