I love the cool pale green of new growth in spring. It sort of represents the refreshing of things and really never shows up for another year. The birch leaves in particular, however the green leaves of our ginkgo are a close second, but later.

Spring here on the coast is an odd duck. I like to refer to spring as “springle” — winter, “springle” then summer. Springle sort of weasels its way into being in fits and starts — more fits than starts. It reminds me of a bank overdraft. Hardly ever intentional and mostly unexpected. We don’t often overdraw, but it does happen. Spring is like that.

We never quite know when it will show up, in what amount and for how long. Overdrafts are very annoying. Spring can be too. A touch of snow here, high winds there. Unpredictable sun and warmth, torrents of rain. Cold.

I think here on Southport, spring can be even more confusing. Like now. Some trees have barely started to bud. Over in the Harbor things are popping. As you head up Route 27 there is even more activity. In Wiscasset things may be in full bloom (I don't get there very often). Proximity to the ocean water, that is, our more “out to sea” location, might be a factor.

We're behind, even after a series of wonderful sunny days. The breezes have been cool. Just step out of the sun for a moment into a chill. And the nights have not been warm at all.

Don't get me wrong, happy with any good weather, and compassionate overdraft resolution. Our need for sun and warmth after the challenges of a long winter is huge. I worked outside until 7:30 the other day with plenty of light. Not so long ago the evening news was our primary source of light at that time of day.

Perhaps when spring is more predictable, overdrafts will be too. Then again, maybe not.