Spring in New England

Winter reluctantly looses its grip on New England in April. Impatient buds respond to warming temperatures -- first the crocuses and forsythia, then the daffodils and, as May nears, flowering trees and shrubs. People blossom forth, too: Baseball bats and gloves suddenly appear in hands, color-starved New Englanders gaze for long moments at flowers and greening trees. What does it matter that you still have to have a warm cap and wool sweater handy? It is Spring.