# Signs of Spring **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 11, 2005, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/298775 "2005-04-11T11:43:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Taters](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/taters/32/2845_2.png) [@Taters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taters)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/298775/101 "2005-04-12T18:21:09Z")
> [@Tupug Anachi](#): > > **taters** , dear, maybe you have SAD. You know, that lack of sunlight deficiency. What you need is a nice Caribbean vacation. You will no longer be cranky. šŸ˜ƒ > > Heh, **beck** , maybe a wormhole has opened between your place and Disney MGM. Could happen. > > **swampy** , did the tree get blowed over or did it just give up the ghost and tippy over? Did you see it happen? Did it make a lot of noise? A Caribbean vacation would be very nice indeed! You springing for it? šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/298775/102 "2005-04-12T18:27:36Z")
I shall look forward to daintily sipping on a beer or two with **Mr. Taters**. Why sip, of course! We are refined, sophisticated gentlemen. Or maybe weā€™ll have a chugging contest. Weā€™ll just see what happens. šŸ˜ƒ **Puggy** I didnā€™t see the tree fall down, nor did I hear it go boom. It was more like, whatā€™s that in the driveway? Looks like some limbs blew down. I better go investigate. Holy S\*\*t! A tree fell down! Itā€™s a water oak and they have shallow root systems. Iā€™m guessing all the rain weā€™ve had has just saturated the ground to the point that the smaller ones are losing their deeper root systems and falling down. :eek: That means we could have more. ---
**Author:** ![susan\_foster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@susan\_foster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan_foster)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/298775/103 "2005-04-12T18:40:54Z")
> [@Taters](#): > > There, I feel slightly better, not much, but slightly. I am cranky. I do not know whyā€¦and before any of the menfolk here even think it; it is NOT that time, it is not close to THAT time. I am cranky this week too. I ate 1/2 dozen home-made chocolate chip cookies last night. Then I stomped on the rest and threw them out. Iā€™m just really edgy - donā€™t know why. Maybe itā€™s because I know Iā€™m going on vacation Thursday, and I want it to be Thursday already. Maybe itā€™s because Iā€™m in a rut. Maybe itā€™s both. Iā€™m tired. Susan ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/298775/104 "2005-04-12T18:55:00Z")
> [@Theodore Striker](#): > > **Scout** , how long will you be in Vegas? Mrs. S. and I loved it out there, partially because we got hitched out there, partially because we love to gamble, and partially because of the altered reality of the place compared to the hometown. There is a lot to do, even if you donā€™t like to gamble, or get married. One of my faves was the trip over to Hoover Dam, if only to get a ā€œthis is my dam shirtā€ t- shirt. Iā€™m so freaking easily amused. Weā€™re only going to be there 3 days. But Iā€™m easily amused too, and I might just have to talk BSMF into a Hoover Dam trip so I can get onea them t-shirts. ---
**Author:** ![Tupug\_Anachi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@Tupug\_Anachi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tupug_Anachi)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/298775/105 "2005-04-12T19:42:59Z")
> [@Taters](#): > > A Caribbean vacation would be very nice indeed! You springing for it? šŸ˜ƒ Soon as I win the lotto! šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/298775/106 "2005-04-12T20:05:06Z")
**Bumba**? You there? I assume your box hasnā€™t arrived yet, **scout**. The whole house smells like warm chai soap. Start selling it online! Itā€™s amazing! ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/298775/107 "2005-04-12T20:22:48Z")
Nope, I havenā€™t gotten anything yet. Iā€™m breathless with anticipation, though. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/298775/108 "2005-04-12T20:25:40Z")
**Bumba** , I sent you an email a couple of days ago - did you get it? I seem to recall you said your email was occasionally wonky. I wouldnā€™t want you to think I wasnā€™t responding to your message. Itā€™s all grey and cold and yuck outside, and the forecast is for temps to drop into the 30s for a few nights this week! So, which of you cheeselogs stole spring?? Yesterday, it was all sunny and shirtsleeves, today Iā€™m bundled in fleece. I came home thinking my furnace had died - turned out _someone_ who shall remain nameless turned the thermostat all the way down so the heater didnā€™t come one. But itā€™s warming up, slowlyā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![taxi78cab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47c2d/32.png) [@taxi78cab](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/taxi78cab)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/298775/109 "2005-04-12T20:44:57Z")
Re: Vegas and the Hoover Dam In case everyoneā€™s not aware of it (which the people who recommended that I go there werenā€™t), visitors can no longer actually go IN the Hoover Dam. Everyone I talked to pre-trip said ā€œoh, itā€™s so cool, you get to go inside and everything.ā€ And then I get there and itā€™s all security and you can watch a movie of the inside of the dam and thatā€™s it. I mean itā€™s still cool to look over the side and see how far down it is. And itā€™s cool to walk over the border into AZ and into a different time zone. But itā€™s not AS cool as it used to be. Just fyi. Also, I \*loved \*Vegas. I totally wasnā€™t expecting to. The whole image you get of Vegas is just about the complete opposite of who I am. I donā€™t gamble and I donā€™t drink and I donā€™t ā€œpartyā€ per se and I donā€™t have enough money to shop at all the cool stores there. But I absolutely had a blast and CANā€™T WAIT to go back again this year (annual company convention). Vegas is awesome. Go to the Bellagio. The fountains are the best. And the gardens inside are great. And I heard (although didnā€™t (yet) get to try for myself) that the buffet there is really good. Have fun! I love Vegas! ---
**Author:** ![Bumbazine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbazine/32/362_2.png) [@Bumbazine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbazine)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/298775/110 "2005-04-12T21:14:41Z")
> [@Lissla Lissar](#): > > **Bumba**? You there? I assume your box hasnā€™t arrived yet, **scout**. > > The whole house smells like warm chai soap. Start selling it online! Itā€™s amazing! The whole house? What have you been doing with it? :eek: Iā€™m glad you liked it **Lissla**. No package from Canada for me yet either. ā˜¹ Yes, **FCM** , I got the e-mail, but, umm, I was kidnapped by Romanian gypsies and couldnā€™t reply. Or else I was just really busy. Sorry. I think Iā€™ll go with the gypsies excuse. Got yours too **Taters**. I will reply to you both shortly. I promise. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/298775/111 "2005-04-12T21:28:10Z")
No biggie, **Bumba** - I just wanted to make sure you got your answer. So thatā€™s cool! I know there are probably one or two things in your life more important that I amā€¦ \ šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![quilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/839c29/32.png) [@quilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quilter)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/298775/112 "2005-04-12T21:59:09Z")
> [@LifeOnWry](#): > > AHA! Found what I was trying to think of! **quilter** : go [here.](http://springhillnursery.com/search.asp?t=pf&pf_c=any&pf_z=any&pf_se=any&pf_fc=any&pf_u=Deer_Resistant&x=8&y=7) This is a list of deer resistant plants sold by Spring Hill Nurseries. Thanks, **LifeOnWry** Thatā€™s helpful! One of my problems has been that Iā€™m not particularly good at remembering what plants look like ā€“ so now I get pick-a-tures AND names AND deer-resistant, all in one place. I guess I keep trying to make things logical. Daffodils, but not tulips? What about crocuses (crocusii?). Definitely no rabbitsā€¦ I hadda work today without reading the Dope ā€“ so Iā€™ll catch up after I figure out whatā€™s for dinner. I wonder whatā€™s for dinner? ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/298775/113 "2005-04-12T22:07:57Z")
Iā€™m a bachelor tonight. ACBG has a meeting. Tomorrow I get to practice being really, really good to make up for my little indiscretion this past weekend. šŸ˜ƒ Iā€™m listening to a CD of music from my nieceā€™s wedding, etc. Actually itā€™s a wedding favor that was at my place setting. Itā€™s some of their favorite music. I might get all misty eyed. I guess CDā€™s are what replaces Jordan Almonds as the 21st century wedding favor. Iā€™m sure I wonā€™t know even half of the songs but still itā€™s cool that itā€™s their ā€œsongs.ā€ Hmmmmā€¦ ya know I got a feeling my mother will think itā€™s kinda strange. I can see her out in her flower garden with her little portable CD player and headphones listening to it now. Oh, I know thereā€™s one thing I didnā€™t tell yā€™all about the wedding. I escorted my mother into the dinner/dance/party thingy, got her to her table, pulled out her chair and seated her without trippinā€™ or nuttinā€™. I know yā€™all are proud of me for that. ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/298775/114 "2005-04-12T23:31:42Z")
**swampy** , we are all greatly relieved that you were able to escort Mom without injury or (presumably) embarrassment to her. Also, thank you for the clarification on your enjoyment of the open bar. I am a little slow on the uptake as regards bars and did not want to draw a false conclusion from your 5,346 (adjusted for inflation) mentions of the open bar. I must admit that I am greatly distressed this evening. I walked past the gnome and fireplug house up the street and found: no gnome!!! It appears that the gnome has been replaced or displaced by a goose. As I am not personally acquainted with these neighbors, I did not investigate their backyard to see if the gnome has been relocated. Perhaps Mrs. Neighbor has had a chat with Mrs. DeDay about gnome placement? I sense a vast conspiracy. In other signs of spring news: I have asparagus! I have about 8 spears peeking out of the ground. Looks like I should be able to harvest them in a couple days - yay! Iā€™m exhausted. Perhaps I need a second nap this evening. GT ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/298775/115 "2005-04-12T23:42:55Z")
**gardentraveler** asparagusā€¦ MMMMMMMMM! Ass-pur-aaa-guz is one of my favorite veggies! I predict Hollandaise sauce in your immediate future. I also like it steamed with a little lemon and butter. And marinated with oil and vinegar. Itā€™s not quite as good as an open bar, but Ass-pur-aaa-guz rates right up there in the veggie world! Maybe the gnomes are converging in a plot to take over the world! :eek: I think investigation is in order. The CD was really good. Eclectic is the best way to describe it. Everything from Elvis to Abba. Sheā€™s definitely my niece. šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/298775/116 "2005-04-12T23:47:38Z")
> [@gardentraveler](#): > > In other signs of spring news: I have asparagus! I have about 8 spears peeking out of the ground. Looks like I should be able to harvest them in a couple days - yay! Make sure you schedule a urine test for the day after you eat your asparagusā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/298775/117 "2005-04-12T23:54:09Z")
The first round of asparagus will probably be steamed with butter and lemon. After that Iā€™ll get creative. And **VunderBob** : thanks for the helpful suggestion. Iā€™m sure the results would ummmmā€¦impress someone. šŸ˜ƒ GT ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/298775/118 "2005-04-13T00:14:56Z")
Sorry but Iā€™m going to bring down the MMP. Iā€™ve had a crappy day. I caught some crud from my sister and have been coughing up my lungs and running a slight fever today and it just started so I will probably feel worse tomorrow. Then one of our clinic cats just dropped dead from cardiomyopathy. They did a necropsy to confirm why he died. He acted perfectly healthy, he was a young cat and I had just seen him an hour before and he seemed fine. He was put in one of the exam rooms to exercise while we were closed so possibly he overdid it. I hate feline cardiomyopathy. Sometimes the only way you know a cat has it is when it suddenly drops dead. Itā€™s not something that shows up in routine exams and blood work. Even if we did routine x-rays and ECGā€™s chances are we still wouldnā€™t have seen anything unless we did an ultrasound, which is not a routine procedure. I had a personal pet cat die of cardiomyopathy. She was ten and she started showing signs of a problem, then she threw an aortic embolism which paralyzed her and she had to be put to sleep. I at least had some warning with her and I got to say goodbye. Iā€™ve seen so many young cats come in to the clinic that had just dropped dead and we know that it is most likely cardiomyopathy that caused their deaths. I even witnessed a young cat die that had come in for routine vaccinations. We hadnā€™t even touched him and he keeled over, we couldnā€™t revive him. This has always been a fear of mine that it might happen to another one of my cats but with no warning or time to say goodbye. This cat was like one of my extended pet family. He was very sweet and friendly to everyone. R.I.P. Muffin 2002-2005 ---
**Author:** ![quilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/839c29/32.png) [@quilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quilter)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/298775/119 "2005-04-13T00:15:46Z")
> [@swampbear](#): > > **gardentraveler** asparagusā€¦ MMMMMMMMM! Ass-pur-aaa-guz is one of my favorite veggies! I predict Hollandaise sauce in your immediate future. I also like it steamed with a little lemon and butter. And marinated with oil and vinegar. Bar-bell-queued. Yā€™wanna bbq ass-per-grass. Maybe rubbed with a bit of olive oil, but mmmMMMmmmm! asparagus on the grill is WONderful. Dinner? Turned out to be frozen (and baked) spicy chicken pizza and a TGS (tossed green salad; blame my dad for the acronyminization of YAW (yet another word)). Brain too tired to do anything more creative dinner-ish-ly. **Rue** , while weā€™re not going to plant any rabbits, will it suffice that the very first porch ornament was a (fake) stone bunny? (donā€™t wanna offend the MMP guy, after all!) ---
**Author:** ![quilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/839c29/32.png) [@quilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quilter)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/298775/120 "2005-04-13T00:20:01Z")
Well dang, **Wile E**! I swear your post wasnā€™t there when I previewed. Iā€™m sorry to hear about your furry friend. And so is Hermione-kitty, who just jumped into my lap and reminded me that itā€™s time to cuddle kitties. ((Wile E)) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/298775.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/298775.md?page=7)