When Thumper explained to Bambi about the forest folk who were “twitterpatted,” he wasn’t just expounding on the thrill of new love. He was referencing the joy and excitement of new life in the Spring.

In Spring worms emerge from the earth, green buds appear, birds chirp, flowers begin to bloom. And all of humankind feels a skip in the step and a lightness in the heart.

It happens every year. Or does it?

Today was officially the first day of Spring. But not in Minnesota. Take a look.

THE PICNIC TABLE?

THE SHOP DOOR?

PATH TO THE GARAGE?

FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

Uffda!

I’m thinking it might just be the fault of Tjasse, the storm god. He certainly raged this past weekend, blizzarding across our skies from the west, wailing through the firs and pines. Dumping untold drifts of white and holding us hostage to his bitter cold.

Tjasse was the Norse giant who one fine day captured Idunn, wife of Braggi, the god of poetry. Beauteous Idunn happened to be the keeper of the Apples of Youth and all of the Aesir depended on their magical power. When Tjasse, disguised as an eagle, swept down and captured this lovely prize, it only figured that the Gods would then begin to fade, turn weary and dull, age and grow dim.

The story proceeds with much mischief making from the trickster, Loki and tragedy ahead for our storm god, Tjasse, who was finally lured aloft, racing in pursuit through the heavens until he flew right into the flames of a mighty fire set by the gods of Asgard.

But mythmakers know that the old tales never die. They continue to circle round and round in our collective consciousness, slightly askance and just out of sight.

The weathermen are puzzled. I think I know who is to blame.