Question of the Day, Wednesday, March 18, 2018

[Mamanyt1953]

Spring, if not quite here for some of us, is certainly coming. What is your favorite springtime activity?

My favorite springtime activity is about the same as my favorite summer, fall and winter activities. I love watching my ferals go about their daily lives. THIS spring, though, I've learned something that I'd never realized (although I might have seen it briefly) before. We all talk about the fact that adult ferals do not vocalize, other than a mama cat "talking" to her kittens, or the hisses, growls and yowls associated with fighting and mating. THAT IS SO WRONG! When a tom cat fixates on a queen, but she isn't quite ready to mate, there follows a LOT of "discussion." This consists of trills and chirps and little murmuring sounds, back and forth. Imagine my delight when I was honored to observe two cats "sweet-talking" with each other, not once but
several times, with different toms and queens! I've learned so much by watching this group of cats.

Now, if only the Town Council would consent to TNR, and I could put an end to all of it! It's sweet in the extreme, but I'd rather there be no more unwanted kittens born.

 

[Furballsmom]

Hmmm.
I think getting in the yard to smell all the wonderful smells of the soil, and growing things, and hearing the birds again

 

[verna davies]

I would rather your activity but I do enjoy mine. Its cleaning outside which always looks dull and grubby after the winter. I start by powerwashing the paths, patio and drive, paint the fences and gates, touch up the paintwork on the house, oil my benches and chairs, then I'm ready to sit outside and enjoy the bright, clean look of everything.

 

[Kat0121]

What is this "spring" you refer to? This is Florida. Summer is pretty much in full swing here already.

 

[Xraystyle]

Walking under the plum and cherry blossoms. I work next to Seoul's Olympic Park and they have a couple of long paths of cherry blossom trees.

Also, right about now is usually the time we started training for Gaelic Football again, so getting out onto the field and kicking balls is a true sign that spring has arrived. This year we haven't been able to start training yet, so I feel like I'm in a haze.

 

[Mia6]

The sounds of the birds. Some don't migrate but I adore the sight and sound of my first hummingbird, amazing!

 

[di and bob]

I truly enjoy one thing that only happens in the spring....the smell of lilacs! Oh sure, they have those reblooming lilacs, but they sure don't smell like the originals. Just like the new roses. Those big old shrub roses that grandma had, that bloom only once a year, they smell like heaven!

 

[maggiedemi]

I just really enjoy getting out in the warm weather and taking my walk when it hits 50 degrees. I love not having to wear a coat. I enjoy that the snow/ice has melted and the roads are safer to drive on. I wish it could stay at 50 degrees or above forever. Why am I not living down south?

the smell of lilacs!

We have a lilac tree in our front yard.

 

[di and bob]

I,too, wish it would stay around 65 all year. But what about the weeds! What about the bugs! I would go insane battling them all year long, or at least somehow learn to tolerate them? ( or bring in boxes of praying mantis, they are the only bug my cats leave alone!)

 

[Jem]

Just the simple fact that winter is over and things start to thaw...Rain instead of snow, grass instead of snow, leaves budding instead of snow on the branches.....do you see a trend?
When you step outside and smell that wonderful poo smell in the air, you KNOW that spring has sprung and it get's me all jazzed up!

 

[maggiedemi]

When you step outside and smell that wonderful poo smell in the air

Cow poo?

 

[Jem]

Cow poo?

LOL! No, don't have cow poo here...well near me anyway. It's just the smell of thawing rotten stuff.
It's funny, in the fall it smells like rich damp soil, but in the spring, it smells like poo.
I sometimes wonder if it's also from people not picking up their dog poop in the winter, and it all thaws at the same time.

 

[Moz]

Seeing the birds come back!

 

[neely]

After long winters my favorite springtime activity is going to the nursery to buy annuals. I usually do this around Mother's Day each year and spend the better part of an afternoon filling the planters on our patio and raking the remnants of whatever has covered up the perennials.

 

[Winchester]

Watching buds open into leaves and flowers, smelling new grass pushing up through the yard, just walking around outside and looking at things. Watching the bunnies tumbling through the back yard, getting the garden in order for planting.

I like the promise that spring brings..

 

[susanm9006]

I love roaming around the back yard looking for signs that the perennials are coming up, checking my bushes to see what has survived or been damaged by winter creatures and I love peeking at my half dozen birdhouses to see if new nests are being built. Spring is also when I get the most variety at the bird feeders as some migrating birds stop here for a nibble, a drink from the heated birdbath and sometimes an actual bath in it. And lastly Spring brings back my duck couple that spend a few weeks in my yard or sunning on neighboring roofs before moving on to their summer headquarters.

 

[MonaLyssa33]

Getting out and hiking again. Granted I do do it in the winter, but it's easier when it's not icy.

 

[DreamerRose]

I love it when all the flowering trees and shrubs burst into bloom.

 

[Boris Diamond]

I can't believe that after all these years, I still get excited about the garden.

 

[EmersonandEvie]

I love not having to have the a/c or heat on. Just open windows and fresh air