Almanac: spring.

On this first day of spring, we mark a few other seasonal firsts this weekend:

• The “soft” opening of our beloved Side Porch—I washed down the furniture and arranged it in place. Cushions, rugs and candles will come out when the weather is consistently warmer.
• The first outdoor fireside happy hour of the season, with cheese, crackers and, of course, Peroni
• The first planting of lettuce (Yugoslavian Red and Buttercrunch) and arugula in the coldframe
• A batch of pansies in the windowbox
• The first hand carwash of the year
• Later today, if the rain holds off, the first round of golf