Spring fever is an illness documented for centuries by poets rather than doctors. It arrives unannounced and specifically at this time of year. It's symptoms are unmistakable: restlessness, a decided interest in romance, increased heart rate, and daydreaming. The more time we spend outdoors, the stronger the symptoms are, and since it's a delightful happening that arrives unbidden, let's surrender our senses so we fully enjoy its sights, sounds, touch, and emotions.

Visual images highlight the transformation we call spring, and they do it better than words. Snowdrops are the first surprise. Fragile bell-shaped flowers and pointy greens push through the tough winter’s crust — life magically birthing itself.

There’s music in the air, and if you like the sound of soul, listen for the robin’s distinctive call – the “chirr” sound that quickly rises in volume. Search carefully to find these early harbingers of spring – they’re well protected by nature’s camouflage of rocks and leaves as they arrive to nest and lay eggs.

And oh the tactile feel of spring! There may still be snow on the ground when pussy willow catkins appear and slam the door on winter. The bud scales split open, and before the leaves emerge, the catkins resemble glistening, gray kitten fur. Give in to the temptation to stroke these velvet buds. There’s nothing quite like it.

Spring fever is heightened by startling bursts of color like green leaves, yellow daffodils, and purple hyacinths. Soft breezes tease us with exotic whiffs of their unusual scents.

There’s no way to avoid the unsettling, heart-swelling, mind-altering effects of spring.

“It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want — oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!” — MARK TWAIN

Spring arrived on Wednesday, March 20th — the day of the vernal equinox. It doesn’t happen on the same date every year because the earth doesn’t take exactly 365 days to make a complete revolution around the sun. Nothing about spring is exact or predictable. Don't you just love that?

“When spring comes, there are no problems except where to be happiest. People are always the limiters of happiness except for the very few that are as good as spring itself.” ― ERNEST HEMINGWAY

Wishing you a raging spring fever!

Sources: Theguardian.com, Poetryfoundation.org.