Tuesday was the first day of spring and by all accounts from the amount of pollen on my vehicle, that is true. However, the temperature did not feel any where near “spring-like” to me. The high temperature only made it just above 60 degrees here in Vicksburg.

But don’t get me wrong.

Having lived in Mississippi most of my life, I know those sweltering summer temperatures will be here soon enough so we should enjoy this cooler than normal weather pattern for as long as we can.

But this is my complaint: the sinus headache I’ve been dealing with since Monday also let’s me know that spring has arrived.

My head pounds, my ears thump and my sinuses are clogged and all of this often leads to a sinus infection, which in turn develops into vertigo and I become as dizzy as a person who just stepped off the tilter-whirl at the carnival.

For years I have dealt with vertigo this time of year and have taken medication, which of course causes me to be drowsy during the day. I’ve learned to live with it.

It’s a Catch-22 with me when it comes to spring. I have a hard time dealing with the pollen, sneezing and sinus headaches, but love the beauty of spring in Mississippi.

Since moving to Vicksburg in August, I have been looking forward to spring and seeing all of the wonderful flowers throughout the city and especially the Vicksburg National Military Park.

Growing up in California, my family would often make the trek to Mississippi in April during spring break.

One of those trips usually included a visit to Vicksburg to see my aunt who owned a shoe store on Washington Street. While here, my family would tour the battlefield park, as well as Cedar Grove and McRaven, and to this day I can visualize the blooming flowers that lit up the history of this town for a pre-teen boy.

I’m looking forward to seeing the glorious azaleas, daffodils, tulips and magnolias. I’m just hoping all of this beauty doesn’t lead to another sinus infection as I enjoy smelling the aroma of the blooming flowers.

Rob Sigler is editor of The Vicksburg Post. Readers are invited to submit their opinions for publication.