Spring is in the air...

...At least in the stores.  Outside, the sky is cloudy, the snow is piled high and grungy looking (though it is melting slowly), the streets are filthy and wet, the trees are bare and looking like they were wishing for warmer weather (ever think that its kinda weird that when the air gets cold all the animals (and humans) get thicker coats, but the trees shed their leaves?) and its not very warm yet (though it isn't super cold either).  All in all, its dismal, gray, dirty, and kinda dead outside.
The mall on the other hand, is full of racks of clothing in bright colours, Easter bunnies and eggs decorated in pastels, little skirts with flowers on them, sandals, beachy smelling perfumes... Its kinda beautiful, if only for the fact that it means that spring must come, and it must come soon!
Sometimes its such a welcome change to just leave the house, go to the mall where there aren't any windows, and walk. And browse. To just take in all the general springiness, and try to convince yourself that soon the sun will shine, the rain will fall, the birds will sing, and the world will come alive again.

Beth