Spring is Here
Easter has come and gone meaning that Spring is here. For the first time in a few weeks, it feels like spring as well. The birds are chirping, the trees are starting to blossom, the days are longer, and the temperature is warmer. We see people at the parks and riding bikes and for the first time in over a year, we actually feel safe going outside.
A Spring Like No Other
This spring will feel different than almost any of the past. Usually, at this time of the year, we are spring cleaning and preparing ourselves for summer vacations, holidays, and cook outs. Last year the COVID lockdown essentially ruined spring and summer. People were not supposed to gather in groups and everything needed to done safely outside and social distance was in place. This year is likely to be extremely different. First, we have little reason to spring clean. Most of us spent long amounts of time at home last year and most of us used a lot of that time to clean up. We had nothing else to do and no excuse to put this chore off. As a result of this, our homes should be in good shape. Next, almost none of us traveled last year. It is true that traveling still poses some risk of spreading COVID, but the reality is precautions have been put in place and more people are getting vaccine protection every day. As long as we follow guidelines and respect others, it looks like summer vacations might be a reality to look forward to this year. Finally, if we are smart and careful, it might be safe to once again host a family cookout. Clearly it is important to keep these gatherings to a minimum, but it is finally okay for small groups to get together and have fun. Just remember to wash your hands often.
Outdoor Fun
One of the struggles of the COVID summer of 2020 was boredom. Products that keep us entertained, while by ourselves or in small groups, were sold out everywhere. You could not find bikes, kayaks, golf equipment, skate equipment, or even lawn games anywhere. People got bored and quickly purchased as much of these products as possible. Additionally, other items like clothing and sport specific shoes were hard to locate as well. This will not be the case in 2021. The demand for these types of products is still high and selection will be limited as a result, but for the most part you can find what you need. We can get everything we need to start running or to start playing golf. We can find cornhole sets to play with our friends, and everything else we need for outdoor fun. The days of spending hours looking for common recreational products is in the past. There is no reason why we cannot get outside and have fun in the spring and summer of 2021.
Normal Chores
One thing that will never go away is our normal everyday house chores. Grass will still grow, paint will still wear out, and countless other routine homeowner problems will occur this spring. Maybe this is the year that your roof finally fails and needs to be replaced, maybe this is the spring where that old tree finally falls down, and lastly lawn work never ends. Grass always grows and maintaining a good curb appeal is important to the value of your home and that of your neighbors. Spend sometime this spring assessing and making decisions on what needs to be done. If your home is in good shape spend some money on recreational upgrades like new outdoor furniture or a new grill. Maybe up your flower game and make your home the one on the block that pops. Spring is a great time of the year because it allows us to see potential. We can see what we want our homes to be, and we can use the good weather of the summer to make it happen. Just remember do not start too soon. The temperature could still drop below freezing a few more times and we do not want our plants to die because of this. Make sure not to rush to do everything at once.
Spring is here and we can all put the cold and misery of the winter isolation behind us. We need to spend a few minutes everyday to soak up the sun and enjoy the warmth it provides. Remember to be safe, be responsible, and enjoy the spring and summer of 2021 and make some lasting memories and do not forget to take some pictures.