Spring is working its way north, and has arrived in some places. My Florida friend Caroline wrote this week and said a daughter in Roanoke has daffodils blooming and a son in Washington has been enjoying the forsythia in bloom. We will have to be patient a little longer.

Strawberries are still in season down in Florida and the U-Picks are open to the residents for three quarts for a dollar. As I read her letter this Monday, it was snowing here! Everyone seems to have finally had enough of the white stuff. If you planted peas on March 17 or a row of sweet peas, this light snow will be good for them.

When this column appears in the weekly paper, a whopping big percentage of the residents in the area will be tuned into their television to watch the U-Conn women’s team in the final four at St Louis. In a world where so much adverse publicity has been highlighting unpleasant things, the state has had a bright spot all year as they follow the women in the U-Conn schedule of basketball games. On many games they have provided good entertainment for thousands of followers.

What is there about the magic which leads to the sell-out of every game the women Huskies play at Gampel Pavilion? This is not a following of college age spectators, or senior citizens, or young admirers, or only men or only women, it is an audience of fans from every walk of life that sends 10,027 fans to every home game and thousands to more to their TV at game time.

For one thing, this team and its staff of coaches and sponsors isn’t afraid to share with the public their opinions, hopes, and personalities. Everyone involved in any way knows each player for her particular talents. We know where they are from, and even are acquainted with their families through press releases and the friendly commentators who share these details. We are a lucky state to have such a wholesome group of young people to be our role models and a source of great pride and public relations. We are unique in another way, too. This very intense pride and interest supports the public television stations’ effort to bring to all of us the games and interviews and news of this special team.

Whether the lady Huskies win or lose tonight as they play in the final four, they are “our” team and we will be around next season to lend our support and our cheers!

Winter has indeed worn out its welcome we don’t need anymore. When we turn our clocks ahead one hour on Sunday night, we’ll turn our backs on cold and snow and winter and think spring. Come on Dame Nature – humor us!

Weather isn’t the only item on nature’s agenda these days. Efforts are being made in many areas to bring back or keep the balance of nature for man and beast. It is exiting to read about the introduction of wolves back into places where they were eliminated in various ways. Man needs to accept adjustments to lifestyles, in order to balance nature successfully.

Closer to home, there is a hopeful effort to encourage the loons to settle near some ponds and lakes. The program to introduce wild turkeys back into our state has already been successful. Awareness of a need to provide and protect open space has increased in recent years. We strive to keep these programs alive and well.

The lines of poetry last week were from “The Village Blacksmith” by Henry Wadesworth Longfellow.

Who wrote “How Cunningly nature hides every wrinkle of her inconceivable antiquity under roses and violets and morning dew”?