First Day of Spring

Here in Southern California, Spring means putting away our long-sleeve cotton sweaters for another 10 months. Sounds of glee upon seeing forgotten-but-beloved tank tops which haven't been worn for the past eight weeks can be heard throughout the Southland as the tanks are pulled out of storage and placed in the dresser drawers where the sweaters used to reside. Older folks begin renewing friendships by greeting neighbors and friends with stories of the tough winter of rainy, 50-degree days and 40-degree nights, wondering how they miraculously survived another hard one. Meanwhile, young people and middle-aged people alike, worried that beach season is just around the corner and after over-indulging during the winter, call their gyms to make sure the Pilates class still is scheduled every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:00 p.m. while promises to begin to eat healthy again are renewed. And, everyone takes advantage of the extra hours of daylight at the end of the day and goes to the ocean for the last few weeks of whale watching season. Spring training is followed by baseball fans and Opening Day is celebrated. Los Angelenos wonder if the Dodgers have a chance against their hated rivals, the SF Giants. At least, Barry Bonds isn't playing this year and Joe Torre have taken over managing the Dodgers, they say. Yes, my dear friends, Spring is an optimistic time here in La-la land.