EDITOR'S COLUMN - Spring. It's finally here.

The promise of green grass. The chirping birds. The budding trees. The blooming flowers.

I don't know about the rest of you, but some days it feels as though I am clawing my way, inch by inch, toward spring.

And although this past week might have been heralded as the onset of spring, who are we kidding?

The weather will warm up for a day or two and then, snap, another cold front hits.

At this rate, we may finally see spring-like conditions in November.

OK. That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but with snow on the cards for Graaff-Reinet's surrounds this Thursday and Friday, I won't be taking out my swimsuit just yet.

By now many of us are saying, "Dear Mother Nature, enough. We are more than ready for spring."

But there are probably many locals who are enjoying this extended winter and relishing the thought of another bout of snowfall which was forecast for the end of this week.

Those who enjoy snow escapades may just be lucky enough to get in a last jaunt to Lootsberg to enjoy the fresh powder.

(My condolences if the weather prediction turns out not to deliver.)

But those of us aching to see some green, have had enough of the lion side of September. The lamb needs to start showing its face, although the forecast doesn't look promising.

So, in the meantime, all we can do is get ready for spring.

If you are eager to get down and dirty in your garden, as I am, start gathering seeds, soils and seed-starting pods and pots. Drop in at Blue Magnolia, the local nursery, to find out how you can kick-start your garden.

You could also start planning for any outside home and yard improvement that can be done once the weather improves. Take a look around and see what projects you want to tackle. Set timelines, buy your materials and get ready to go.

If you don't plan on gardening and have no home improvement projects on the horizon, take this time to enjoy the last bit of winter.

Build a snowman on your way to Nieu-Bethesda before all the forecasted snow melts, or wrap up in a warm blanket and read a good book.

As author and newspaperman Hal Borland wrote: "No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn."

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