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The sights and sounds and even smells of spring are all around us now. The odor of chimney smoke is slowly being replaced by the scent of freshly cut grass. It's a welcome homage to the new season.
The drab browns and gray colors of the wooded areas around the house are quickly being replaced with a lush carpet of green. Wildflowers and weeds alike are springing up in random places.
Oglebay Park is once again the backdrop for the true colors of spring as yellow daffodils and brilliant red, orange and yellow tulips have sprung up from the brown earth. Soon they will be joined by the colorful hanging baskets so cleverly created by the park staff.
Local playgrounds -- many getting much needed upgrades -- are seeing more children at play as temperatures start to rise. Ballfields are being carefully tended by dedicated workers and volunteers to be readied for baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse teams throughout the region.
A sure sign of spring can be found in the want ads of this newspaper as the yard and garage sale season gets under way. These events are as much anticipated by many as the first pitch from the baseball mound.
Yes, there are sure signs of the new season. I can't say all the things associated with the season are welcomed by this writer. Take for instance my first encounter with a spring guest to my mailbox.
If you know me by now, you fully grasp my fear and loathing of spiders. So when a large, brown arachnid greeted me upon opening our mailbox the other day, I imagined my scream could be heard in three states. I will not apologize for my reaction to the dreaded eight-legged creature. My fear goes back to a childhood experience with such an insect that just never left my memory.
For all you spider lovers, you will be happy to know my spouse, who is accustomed to my spider screams, responded and removed the spider from the mailbox. The experience has left me with a new appreciation for the letter carriers of this area.
Lately, my fear of opening the mailbox has had more to do with the repeated and obnoxious political junk mail that has found its way to our address.
I took some evasive measures to keep the spiders out by placing a dryer sheet and an air freshener in the back of the mailbox. This is supposed to dissuade unwelcome visitors from taking up residence inside. So far, so good with the eight-legged creatures but not so good with the two-legged politicians. I will keep you posted.
Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.