Cleanup great way to cure spring fever

They don't call it "spring fever" for nothing.

If it hasn't afflicted you yet, it will.

That urge to sort out clothes for the garage sale, rake up the remains of last fall's leaves -- long hidden by the winter-long snowcover -- and planning the summer's lawn and garden projects, it's all part of spring fever.

It's an especially powerful influence this year, with thousands of broken limbs scattered on the ground.

The limbs were an emergency when they fell, of course, and with the thick snow, it was understandable that many of them piled up not far from where they fell.

The city, in fact, allowed branches to be taken to the jaycees ballpark parking lot on an interim basis until they could be cleaned up.

It's time for things to get back to normal, however.

With arrival of good weather -- not to mention extra time thanks to Daylight Saving Time -- there's no excuse for not following the rules.

For example, despite a sign asking residents to take branches to the transfer station, branches are still being dumped at the West M compost collection site, much to the chagrin of neighbors who live across the street.

One resident who lives nearby said, when the wind comes up, much of the garden refuse and smaller branches drift into her neighborhood.

The situation is the same at other compost sites around town, and McCook Police Chief Ike Brown said tickets already have been issued to residents for dropping off branches at improper places.

Granted, cleaning up broken branches can be a lot of work, and isn't easy for those of us without pickup trucks or the physical ability to do the work.

But there are workers available to perform such services, and, we know of youth groups and other volunteers who are ready and willing to help out, if given the chance.

It's a great time of year to get outdoors, and what better way of breaking spring fever than cleaning up the yard?