The good news today is that the first day of Spring 2009 began at 7:44 AM EST…so Happy Spring to everyone! So what does it all mean?

Spring is always my favorite time of year. Seeing the trees bud out and flowers begin to bloom is a sight that no one gets tired of. Hearing the birds singing and all of the animals coming alive after the long winter makes this a wonderful time of year.

So, what does the Spring equinox really mean? Without getting into a scientific explanation, the first day of Spring means that our days and nights are almost identical. 12 hours of sunlight and 12 hours of darkness.

The sun also rises due east and sets due west.

The first day of Spring 2009 also means this is the first day of Fall 2009 for those who live south of the equator, like our friends in Australia.

So enjoy this wonderful Spring day and have a happy one!