Lyssa Beyer

Oh Spring, how I adore you. I bask in your rays, I enjoy the green grass you provide me and I can even appreciate a few refreshing April showers now and then. I have one problem, though. Why have you been so flakey lately?

You kept teasing me all of March, occasionally popping up with 50 degree days, allowing me to run on the flooded sidewalks. Then, the next day I would be improperly prepared to take the long walk to Hibbard. I was foolish in putting away my big down jacket.

Apparently, I’m not the only one on campus who has jumped the gun in thinking you’ve returned. One day after class, I was walking up the hill and saw a long boarder speeding down. Everyone else walking knew it was going to be a disaster. The long boarder was carelessly flying down, unaware of the ice he was about to hit until he knew it was too late. All us walkers were unsure whether to laugh or call for help, as he lay there, humiliated, on the pavement and possibly injured.

After living in Minnesota my whole life, I should be used to dealing with the annoying white stuff from November to April. Who needs spring break when you can have two freezing, snowy breaks? I think it’s funny how we react to temperatures in the 40s as a heat wave in March, when in November we put on our down jackets and winter boots.

As the weather warms up, Midwesterners get confused by the rush of warmer temps, as it has been too long since we were sporting shorts and tank tops and boating around on a nearby lake. I saw a group of people standing outside on a 45 degree day just staring at the sun, pondering the mere presence of it. Now, I understand it has been a while since we felt warmth upon our pale faces, but this was a little ridiculous, Spring. You have everyone pining for you, and I say it’s time to return to us and stay a while. People are starting to get grouchy and I think everyone is happier with a little sunshine in their lives.

I love nothing more than being outside and enjoying the newfound warmth. Most people anticipate getting back outside, usually needing to brush the dust off their bike seat and get the dog’s leash from the back of their closet. I’m sure you and Sparky could both use a little exercise. The winters are long in this part of the country and everyone is eager to go outside and engage in activities they have longed for since November.

Who doesn’t miss rolling all their windows down in their car and just driving around while blasting music? I don’t care who sees me belting out my favorite song, because I’m enjoying the warm air and not even embarrassment can stop my giddy feelings from spring. There is something so liberating about letting a refreshing breeze blow through your hair and not having a care in the world.

A true sign of your return, Spring, is the refreshing scent following the first rain. Winter is so ugly; all plants lose any signs of life, until rain helps them bud and turn green. I know I’m not alone when I say I’d rather see the UWEC bushes on the hill completely green and flowers blooming around campus than barren trees and blackened snow on the sides of streets. Eau Claire apparently has the most beautiful campus in the state, so let’s see it.

Snow on the hill, what an ordeal. Walking up the hill is never fun, but it’s just plain scary when you’re walking down an icy slide of death in the middle of a snowstorm with no visibility. I can’t say how many people I have seen trip down the hill and have their jeans ripped and their pride destroyed. Hopefully now when I walk down the hill, I can return to watching people huff and puff in agony, rather than anticipating that one wrong step on that seemingly innocent ice patch.

With warmer temperatures comes wading in the Chippewa River. Labor Day weekend saw hundreds of kids relaxing on inner tubes, trying to enjoy the last days of summer, yet knowing it would end soon and school would begin. Now as school is winding down, all we can do is anticipate parking lots smoldering from the sun and tasty ice cream cones.

April has begun and you’ve begun to show signs you’re ready to stay. I’m antsy to wear brightly colored clothing and to finally put my thick sweaters into storage until winter graces us with its lovely presence again. No longer will I have to wear my warm, suede boots and I can once again put on my beloved spring flats. It’s time for spring, and I would be really happy if we weren’t surprised with another blizzard for at least six more months.

Cegla is a freshman print journalism major and copy editor of The Spectator.