Spring

There are a number of ways to determine when - positively, no doubt about it - spring has arrived. Some people rely on the groundhog. Others say it's opening day of the Philadelphia Flower Show. Many put their faith in outdoor flora: the first crocus, snowdrop or forsythia. There are bird-watchers who insist it's not official until they have sighted their first robin. And there are at least a few who simply go by the weather - the first warm, sunny, nice-time-for-strolling day is the start of spring.

All the harbingers of spring were in place yesterday - sunny skies, mild temps, and the Philadelphia Flower Show. It was a day to hit the road and some 24,000 people did just that as they made a beeline for the annual floral extravaganza that opened at the Civic Center. Inside, the scene was a riot of color and tantalizing fragrance as the flowers of spring and summer went into a bloomin' frenzy for the appreciative throng.

The Flower Show opened at the Convention Center yesterday where it was spring in full bloom. A woman rests on a park bench at the PNC Park display (above), while a group gathers near the mural of a tropical beach scene (below), titled the "soggy dollar bar. " A couple (left) walks along Arch Street in the rain, clutching pussy willows fresh from the show.

At Pennsbury Manor's "Celebration of Spring" Saturday, there were demonstrations of tasks as they were done in William Penn's era. Pearson said that now, electric shears are used. By the way, the sheep don't just prefer a little off the sides. He said they cooperate for the 20-minute process because when they are put in the sitting position (at left), they go into a trance.

While it sometimes seemed like the biting, drab winter would never end, it was always just a matter of time. After all, the Phillies are about to come north. And the time arrived over the weekend, when the sun broke out and temperatures smashed the 60s barrier. The spell continued yesterday, when just about everybody was outside to enjoy a warm spring day. Today is expected to be sunny again and even warmer, with highs hovering around 80.

Around this time of year, I love to watch the miniseries Wild Palms, the ultimate spring drama. The great character actor Robert Loggia can't catch up with the pace of his imagination, which takes a devilish turn. It's about life's quickening quality - never catching up with itself - and our innate frustration in trying to comprehend it. I like spring. It's scary without being terminal. The poets agonize not over their imminent death, but their impending immortality: "I face my approaching life with fear," so to speak.

They kill the symbols of spring, don't they? The principal article and accompanying picture in the March 23 Food section on the barbaric rite-of- spring slaughter of baby animals brings into focus a poignant irony in holiday observance. The arrival of spring brings with it two major religious holidays that commemorate resurrection, rebirth, life and freedom - Easter for Christians and Passover for Jews. How sad that the significance of these holidays is desecrated by the corpses of animals slaughtered to "honor" these holidays.

Warm weather last week was perfect for horsing around in Upper Uwchlan Township. Trainer Terry Smith worked out a young horse named Grulyn in preparation for a dressage competition. Smith also works full time and goes to West Chester University.

Ah, wonderful February. Isn't this just the ideal moment for daffodils? Yes, yes, those bright yellow trumpeters of the approach of spring. Think it's too early for daffodils? Stick your nose out into that bracing 20-degree weather. Go ahead, live dangerously. And some daffs are sticking up their noses, right back at you. So defrost your schnozz. And take heart. Despite the heaviest snowfall in Philadelphia in more than 100 years, despite a month of snow cover on lawns from before Christmas to late January, despite the current visitation of a Siberian chiller, there is - yes, there is - going to be a spring.

It was in 1972 that I first heard the name Mike Schmidt. Paul Owens, then the Phillies' farm director, was talking about a college kid the club had signed who had a chance to become an outstanding player. "He can do it all," Owens said that spring. "He's an infielder who can run, throw, field and hit the ball out of sight. He's an all-round athlete who just has to learn to make more consistent contact, but he will. "Tony Lucadello loves him. " Lucadello was a veteran Phillies scout whom I had grown to respect over the years because so many of his "discoveries" had reached the majors.