Our northern amazement with spring

Spring is a season that never fails to amaze and amuse me. It is enough that we can see some wild swings in the weather during this season, but the human factor of spring in the north is what truly gets me. Most people would never consider wearing shorts and a t-shirt on 55 degree day in the summer or fall, but in spring there is little hesitation to do so on the part of some, especially on college campuses. And listening to people is even better. The days get longer and the temperatures get warmer every year at this time...it really shouldn't be a surprise to any of us. Yet we still speak as though we are awestruck that the sun does not set until 7 pm, and we react to a 67 degree day like today as though we've just gone through an ice age, having not seen such a warm day in decades. Perhaps this is all just a product of living through long, dark winters that seem like they will never end, but our reaction to changes we know will occur never fails to amuse me.