and don't forget the sound of construction echoing of off Michigan Ave....oh wait, that's my neighborhood!
i'm not so sentimental about the weather either, but a good mustache will get me feeling all gooey any time.
I live in an "improving" neighborhood in Washington, DC that definitely reminds me of some of your descriptions of Detroit. One of my absolute favorite things about living in the "ghetto" is that when the warm weather hits everyone is out on their porches and stoops, sitting, talking, maybe having a drink or a smoke, with kids from several families all playing together on the side walk. We were out walking the dogs last night and came across a whole family relaxing together on their porch, just chatting and enjoying the weather and each other. We chatted for a bit and as I walked away, I had to think, "For all the crap you hear about cities, about minorities, about the downfall of the urban family, would you ever find this familial scene out in the 'burbs?" I don't think you would and it makes me so happy to get to live in my city, in my neighborhood. Keep spreading the good word that cities can be friendly and pleasant places to raise children too!
"Mighty Stick" is so great. I wonder how long the memory of the wild dogs will stay with Juniper?
We had a solid week of unrelenting rain and when the sun came out, so did everyone in the city. I love how a positive change in weather makes everyone happy, strangers say hello, people come together.
deep, deep breath--- ahhhhh, SPRING!!!
that weather you had yesterday is gracing us today- yippee! short sleeves! bubbles! sun! a big red ball to chase after! ice cream! we love this time of year, too. and we are really lovin that this year the pnut is aware enough of her surroundings to enjoy it with us! happy to share in your glee.
When Juniper forms a band in college and can't think of a good name, I hope you'll remember to suggest The Mighty Sticks to her.
Puddle trouble is something we should really bring to Vancouver.
Inspiring. But, the sad part is the exuberance of spring will soon turn to the unbearable weight of summer, the heat of the inner city always cooks up tragedy.
Weather like this after the long winter is just like coming out of the fog of depression.
It's one of the best things about living in a cold climate. You really *really* enjoy the days it's not too hot and not too cold.
Puddle trouble wouldn't be a bad band name either.
Like Suki, our Washington D.C. neighborhood is on the upswing. I like these two weeks when the weather is in that pause between grey sloppy drizzle and sweltering humidity when everybody is out on the sidewalk with their kids, dogs, barbecues, and noise. Reminds me why we decided to move here, and why we've decided to stay.
So, um, does eleven hours of 70+ temperatures make your beard grow faster?
PS. I nominate "Puddle Trouble" for the name of Juniper's future band; it could mean so many things...
Oh, and beautiful post...your descriptions are so evocative.
The birds are back in New York. It's a start.
Spring also sprang here in London today. Two whole washloads dried on the line. Cedar was planting bulbs and occasionally trying to feed one to our Juniper!
My old neighborhood was like that--this one is not as friendly, but that first nice day everyone was out and you'd catch up with all those neighbors you hadn't seen for months. Dan Zanes (your favorite!) has a song called "Linger for Awhile" that reminds me of those city evenings out on the front porch having a beer with your neighbors and watching the kids run around. Even here, it's fun to take Maggie and the pooch for a walk and we all comment on how big everyone's kids are and how great it is to be out.
This semester, I have two students from southern California and one from Louisiana. Last night, they were all marveling at how amazing it feels to have warm weather after such bitter cold. They have never seen seasons before.
Amen!
Those college-age girls are anything but ignorant. : )
Robins. A yard filled with fat-bellied Robins. Looking out my window to see them confidently pressing their beaks into the soil for a meal is the true harbinger of Spring.
Guys - non sequitur. Where do your ads go when they're not playing on the site? am looking for the baby sling company.
Wonderful descriptions. It felt like I was there. Wait -- was I? 
Beautiful. Not hardly in need of indulging at all.
it's the best reason to have long, crappy winters. in those place, it's like people come to life all over again every spring.
awesome.
That's how I felt in NYC today! It was glorious....
There's absolutely nothing like that first perfect spring day, and to not indulge in it a little is a sacrilege! (Even if, like me, your indulgence was driving with the windows wide open because you didn't get any outside time today).
that's what I mean! last summer our girl learned to say 'get a room' to the teenagers!
public space, simply society. it is enjoyable. important, too. but don't let that spoil the enjoyable part.
Oh, how I love spring in Michigan!
I'm with you. I was supposed to eat the lunch that I brought to work, but was instead surprised by a call from my wife offering to take me out with out son.
We grabbed some food and headed to a large open field at a church not far from my office with lots of playground equipment.
We spent the hour chasing him through various structures and letting him explore the large expanse on his own as we ate our meal. It was magical and how I hope to spend many more days to come.
I came home to them sitting on the back patio as my 19 month old scooped water from a bucket and poured it all over his legs and the surrounding concrete. We followed that with a warm bath and a stroll by the Ohio river.
A great day.
'Ordinarily I loathe the cold because it keeps me inside and I resent the sun for making me feel guilty about missing a moment of it.'
Yup, and yup. But I do love me some spring. And fall. I think it's something about transitions that gets me.
It's just something about the dogwood blooming in my yard and all the azaleas exploding in flower that makes me all warm inside. Glad you were all able to get out and enjoy the fickle northern spring weather!
Like Molly and Suki, I too live in an "urban revitalization" neighborhood. While it's not 100% idyllic, I do like being part of a more diverse (economically and racially) community than I might find in the 'burbs. And yeah, that park across the street from our house? Is totally packed on days like that. All different ages of kids playing football (unlike your neighborhood, we have TONS of boys), running around, jumping rope. I love the spring.
Oh, and I used to live in Michigan (Southfield), and yeah, the springs there are lovely.
Because I am a complete dork, I have been stuck on the "internationally-famous techno DJ" that lives in your neighborhood and wondering who it might be... Richie Hawtin? Derrick May? Carl Craig?
Word. We just moved from San Francisco to Chicago. After a particularly sanity-challenging Winter, the advent of the warm weather somehow made up for all of it. And not miss SF so much.
Man, I miss spring. We almost had it last week, and then last night? A foot of snow ... buh-bye flower buds.
I love the picture of Wendell enjoying Spring to the fullest. Makes me want to go get into puddle trouble.
That was beautiful.
Jane Jacobs would love your neighbourhood.
I love San Francisco too, but I love the seasons as well. Lived in both climates and can tell you you appreciate the change in seasons more than going from dry season to rainy and back again.
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