by Evelyn J. Mocbeichel
Even before the first official day of spring arrival on the calendar, there were signs all around us. The most noted in our house was the tweets and squawks of birds early in the morning. I happen to be an early riser, so the cheery morning sounds didn’t awake me, but I’ve heard complaints from friends that say they are light sleepers they heard every peep! To me this is a minor nuisance when we think about winter being over and a new season has started! We can look all around us and see Mother Nature beginning to display her early growing flowers popping out of the ground for us to enjoy. Years ago I copied a floral design I saw passing a driveway not too far from our house that was absolutely gorgeous. 
The homeowners had daffodils blooming on either sides of their driveway that looked like a welcoming burst of yellow color as a spring greeting. This stunning display prompted me to try and copy the same idea. After that I bought bags of daffodil bulbs and planted at least fifty of them each fall over the next several years. My aim was to also have a stunning driveway that would greet our visits with the same visual impact. While the effect in our driveway is also pretty, it appears the squirrels in my area decided some of the bulbs provided an enjoyable snack, so my display is sparser despite annual replanting.
While we know morning bird calls often signal the arrival of spring, there are other animals whose names have become associated with human traits or personalities. How did the owl receive the title of being wise? What did they do to deserve this honor? To be as strong as a horse or as stubborn as a mule as always been easy to recognize because these animal have demonstrated these qualities. See which animal you can name by the brief description of a human trait that is associated with it.
Questions:
- To be a bit shy or bashful, especially if you did something to be embarrassed about.
- Often it is referred to a woman that talks about another female, sounding a bit jealous about her looks, wardrobe or accomplishments.
- To move slowly, have no energy or being a bit lazy or as we’d say a couch potato.
- When something doesn’t seem right or is a bit suspicious it could be described as being a bit what?
- Going back to our childhood days, most of us have called a playmate this name when they were afraid of doing something like going off the high diving board at the pool, or roller skating down a steep hill.
- How many parents have reprimanded a very young child being impatient or fidgety while sitting at a place we were supposed to be quiet or still, using this phase?
- While on the buffet line and one fills up a plate to overflowing and mom taking notice might say, don’t take more than your share and be such a…?
Answers: 1) Sheepish. 2) To be catty. 3) A sloth or acting like a slug. 4) Fishy. 5) Being chicken. 7) Stop being so squirrelly. 8) Piggy
