Ahhh, springtime! The sun is warm again, the days are longer and, after three months of hibernation, people are emerging from their virtual cocoons. For a long time, spring was my favorite season (and not just because it meant the start of baseball). As a younger child, I used to love when we could open up our bedroom windows and let the fresh spring air blow in at night. Especially since we did not have air conditioning in those early years.

However, as I have gotten older, others have started interfering with my enjoyment of spring. It is never a big thing they do . . . just a series of inconsiderate actions that show a lack of manners and respect for others. In my opinion, it comes down to poor parenting. And look, I get it – I have helped raise three children myself. Parenting is a tough job and no one is going to have perfect children. But someone needs to have a serious conversation with Mother Nature about how her children act in spring.

My first complaint about Mother Nature’s offspring is their lack of respect for my personal space. When a person takes the time and effort to put up screens around their porch, that is a clear indication that they would like to be left alone outside. But do Mother Nature’s little “buggers” listen? No!!! Every year there are always a variety of bugs sneaking inside the screened-in porch, including stink-bugs (who do politely leave when asked) and wasps, who are quite rude and get quite angry when “asked” to leave. A little manners go a long way – it is a great big world out there and they have no reason to hang out where they are clearly not wanted. I will hold off on my issues with gnats for now given that they at least wait for me to leave my porch before they invade my personal space.

My second complaint concerns how some of her offspring view us (looking at you mosquitos). I’m no conspiracy theorist, but I swear sometimes they view us as nourishment rather than neighbors, much like the vultures in Ice Age 2 (Food Glorious Food). Not to sound curmudgeonly, but I find this rude and annoying. I’m going to suggest to Mother Nature that she send them all to a therapy session with Bruce the Shark from Finding Nemo, so they can learn that humans are friends, not food.

My last complaint is against Mother Nature’s cutest offspring, the flowers and the trees. They certainly are pretty and I know everyone loves to see them come out, including myself. BUT . . . would it kill them to cover their mouths when they “sneeze”? Look, I get it . . . the pollen needs to get spread. But it’s not like they don’t have plenty of visitors coming each day that are willing to help them move their product from site to site. My car, eyes and nostrils do not need to be involved. So please – simple manners – cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze.

So with all due respect to Mother Nature, whom I have not met personally, because while I believe nature is truly incredible, I also believe it is best viewed on TV, please have a little sit-down with your children and explain to them some of these simple manners they can follow that would allow not just myself, but everyone else to enjoy spring that much more. Otherwise (and I do not make this threat idly), I am going to have to take my support to Fall.

But while we are here in Spring, what better way to welcome the season of roses than with a Rosé. So without further ado, meet this week’s Wine of the Week, the 2025 “Aragosta” from Maria la Palma in Sardinia, Italy. I found this Rosé at The Wine House Rosé festival they had this past weekend (if you haven’t been to one of their festivals, they are a great way to try 10-20 wines for a great price). “Aragosta” is made from Cabernet Sauvignon. What I liked about it is that it felt a bit more like a light red wine to me instead of a typical Rosé. A bit more fuller-bodied and a hint of creaminess in lieu of the normal tartness I associate with Rosés. But also still light and refreshing. A perfect wine to sip on out on your screened in porch on a spring day, without Mother Nature’s children asking if they can have a sip. Cheers!