Just when you thought you were safe

Ah, Springtime!  I love this time of year.  The days slowly lengthen.  Even though the wind still howls it somehow feels warmer.  One can stand outside at night to bask in the beauty of the stars without feeling too chilled.  The grass changes from a ruddy brownish hue to a lovely shade of green.  Trees and shrubs begin to leaf out so quickly the changes go from weekly to daily and almost hourly in their growth.  Bulbs which have been peeking out of the ground are suddlenly tall stalks with flowers waiting to burst open and then one by one the yard is exploding in the colors of crocuses, hyacinths and paperwhites all in shades of yellow, white or purple.  The daffodils and jonquils rapidly take over shouting their glory in hues of yellow and orange with a touch of white.  Purple and red lilacs scent the neighborhood and tulips provide a flourish of pinks, yellows, orange, red and purple.  Sometimes they are ruffled and others striped to add to their performance.  The short winter brought my spring flowers out early this season.  The irises seem to have sprung up overnight and are just beginning to open.  Not to be outdone, all the cats in the area decide it is time to stake a claim and go through their rituals for procreating.  Birds flock back to the area; some more noisily than others as they too locate safe havens for nesting and choosing their mates.  Though the days are growing longer we have to put up with the ridiculous daylight savings time, but get used to it after a few months in time to turn the clocks back once more.  Storm windows are removed and houses are opened up to the cleanliness of the awakening earth.  Warmer weather also allows one the chance to open up the windows at night to breathe in the fresh air and get a truly good night's sleep and all is right with the world.  Nevertheless, just when you thought you were safe, it is too late.  There is nowhere to hide from the pungent perfume wafting on the gentle breeze of those cute, little, black and white, nocturnal critters wandering about leaving their own telltale mark on an otherwise peaceful night.