Spring is almost here! Thank goodness

I had the privilege to cover the Beezley Burn this weekend.

While I was there, I interviewed some great people who made my job incredibly easy and enjoyable.

I was also put in mind of spring and its nearness.

I confess that I have not always been the most outdoorsy of people but, in recent years, the attractions of being outside in the Columbia Basin have appealed to me more and more.

Last year I completed my first Bloomsday and am already signed up for this year's annual run.

To prepare for the event, I have done my best to run outdoors whenever the weather has not been terribly cold and the more time I spend outdoors, the more I enjoy it.

What is most appealing about it now is the awakening of everything I see as I hit the road behind my family farm.

The spring wheat is a light green haze over the fields, the winter wheat a darker green covering, trees are budding and flowering, the lilac bushes are beginning to sprout leaves. My list of signs of spring could go on for a full page.

All those fresh sprouts and sprigs are particularly welcome because this winter seemed to be incredibly long. After our first real snow in November, it seemed like the snow would never leave.

I'm dwelling on spring because there have been changes in my small orbit of late; changes that have me examining life again.

I like what I do. I like where I live. I have a bevy of good friends and a family that I describe as "oddly functional."

But I am stock-taking just the same.

Maybe it is a mental and spiritual spring-cleaning of sorts.

Whatever it is, I was happy to see Lions Park in Ephrata alive with people, plants and activity this weekend.

I was happy to see signs that the long winter is coming to a close and a new season is settling upon the Columbia Basin.

Pam Robel is the paginator for the Columbia Basin Herald. Her co-workers think she is a little crazy for wanting to run so much, but also admire her determination.