I love being able to have my patio door open, to sit in the family room at night and listen to the outdoors  – chirping insects, lowing cattle in the distance and the occasional plaintive song of my big, rangy outdoor cat, T.W. (he's so lonesome he could cry).

My allergies don't much care for the open-air situation. The cats bolt every time I have one of my gigantic sneezing fits, so they aren't completely thrilled either.

Still, we all enjoy the breezes coming through the open door (the cats don't care, but as the bill-payers, Benny and I like the fact our heat pump can take a little vacation during these all-too-brief stretches of temperate weather).

As much as I love air conditioning in my car and my home, I do like to sometimes roll my Jeep window down as I drive around town on days like this. It feels good to let the breeze ruffle the hair under my hat, to let a little Mother Nature come in.

At night when I come home and feed the dogs, I enjoy sitting outside on the front deck. I serve as both referee (big, dumb ol' Junior will try to eat everyone's food it you don't watch out) and loving mama, ruffling Rascal's thick black coat, stroking Rufus's silky ears and chuckling at Tutie's antics.

All four of our dogs are strictly outdoor pets, so I like to spend some &#8220home” time with them when it is neither too cold or clammy nor too hot and sticky to do so. 

When I visit the nursing home these days, the window to my mom's room is often open during the day. The room looks out on the sunny courtyard. You can watch the squirrels nibbling on nuts and the birds eagerly devouring the seeds scattered there. They're enjoying spring, too.

Mama goes outside to do some of her rehabilitation. Benny wheeled her to the front porch to enjoy the cool of the evening one night.

They say fresh air, and yes, a little bit of sun exposure, is healthy for us all.

We may have to put on our filter masks and refill our allergy meds to do so, but it's worth the trouble.

So let a little of Mother Nature in, or go out and meet her, why don't you?

Speaking of spring, here are some of the upcoming springtime events in Greenville:

n&#8220He Lives Egg-stravaganza” - from 2-4 p.m. March 31 in Confederate

Park.

Easter egg hunts, sack races, face painting and more are offered to children ages 10 and under in this event, sponsored by Call to Life Worship

Center.

n GBCPL Used Book Sale – the library's annual used book sale is slated for Saturday, April 14 at its Fort Dale Road location. A sneak preview sale is scheduled from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 13, with $5 admission. Saturday sale admission is free.

n &#8220Camelot” at Ritz - the final production of the GAAC season comes to the Ritz Theatre at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 3 with the hit Broadway musical, Camelot. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children.

 Angie Long is Lifestyles reporter for The Greenville Advocate. She can be reached at 382-3111 ext. 132 or via email at angie.long@greenvilleadvocate.com.