Sure signs spring is on its way

There may be many reasons we live in Nebraska instead of some warmer clime, but if the change of seasons is one of them, we shouldn't be disappointed this year.

After a few unusually warm and dry years -- remember mowing the lawn in January, because it needed it? -- we've been "blessed" with a true winter, complete with ice and snow that have never entirely gone away.

If you've come down with cabin fever, don't despair, spring is on its way.

Need proof?

Well, a clinic for youth soccer players is set for Sunday afternoon at the Ed Thomas YMCA, can practice be far behind?

And what about baseball? It won't be long before spring training starts in the major leagues, but the McCook Community College team is in action already today in Texas. Jon Olson, who was MCC's founding baseball coach in 2002, is back at the helm after a four-year hiatus to coach at Independence, Kan.

But there are other, more subtle hints as well.

In case you didn't notice, we have about an hour more of sunshine each day than we did back at Christmas time.

Serious gardeners are planning this year's planting, if they haven't already put in their orders for seeds and plants. And, the lawn and garden section has been stocked for a month at the discount store.

The Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for next week's home show, and we hear about outdoor shows in other parts of the state.

Baby calves are sprouting on the hillsides, lambs and goats will soon be on the way, and chicks and ducklings will be cheeping at the farm store and shipping department.

Don't be surprised to see the crocuses sprouting on the warm side of the house and, thanks to an early calendar, Easter decorations are already appearing.

We're not naive enough to think that winter is over -- we know that March has been the month for some of our most memorable blizzards.

But it's nice to know that the winter is only one of the seasons that Nebraskans experience each year.

We wouldn't have it any other way.