After the nasty winter - that seemed forever - spring has finally sprung. I hope that's correct English.
I don't know what there is about it, but I just feel so much better when the sun is shining. I even look forward to cleaning out closets and storing winter duds away.
 I also know that the Kentucky Derby is coming up and that brings back dozens of memories.
Saturday is the Derby. The Saratogian flew me to it back in 1989 and 1990. So it didn't take me a second to accept the offer of going there to send back stories.
My husband was also invited to go, but he had a golf tourney that day. I told him I was going even if they found my body on the side of the road. I had to make him feel bad didn't I? (That's because I never went anywhere unescorted.)
Well, I did. I nestled down in my hotel room and started to think about stories I could write. In three days I wrote and shipped six articles ranging from sitting under a staircase with a bunch of young people to get their feelings on the Derby activities. I worked my way through thousands of people in the infield to get a story about some students from Schenectady Community College. I road in a cab with a tuxedoed driver to get his take on what it meant to him. I also had a hat made to wear since hats are very big during the Derby weekend. I drove nearly 90 miles on my own in a gown to attend Marylou Whitney's Derby ball and got lost when I came back because I took the wrong exit. (Oh, how I yell under my breath at my husband.)
Because of the newspaper's deadlines, I had to watch the Derby in my room. But it was all worth it.
The publisher liked what I had done and sent me again the next year. This time my husband came with me. He loved it. He attended everything that was going on and expressed his displeasure when I didn't come with him. I told him the paper didn't send me because they liked me they sent me to work and that I did. But even though the weather was frigid and broke a record both years - in the 40s - I will never forget my experience. I met all kinds of celebrities and several local people I knew.
So each year when Derby time rolls around I'm flooded with pleasant memories. I may even have a mint julep - even though I don't like them - for old times sake.