How do you make the mark of winter going into spring?

For me in the past week it has been hearing more bird activity at Northfield Square Mall in the mornings when I walk. In the food court, there are very tall palm trees. I would say some of these trees are as tall a two story house.

When I started walking in the middle of winter, you would hear one or two of these birds, maybe. But this past week I have been hearing – and seeing- more of them. The birds are beginning to pair up, calling for each other and flying about in that small tree-filled area. As I do my walk throughout the mall, I do not see or hear the birds. They stay in that small area. Hearing them makes me feel as if warm weather is about to get here.

Speaking of walking at the mall, I am beginning to notice more people are doing it. I am seeing all of the regular people who were there when I started. But now I am seeing others. It is girlfriends, couples, fathers and sons, and one set of girlfriends who has a young child in a stroller. It is getting a little crowded at times but this is a good kind of crowded. Everyone who is there is working on their better health – or in my case – to fit in skinny jeans by May.

Back to the topic at hand, which was sure signs of spring? Yesterday it was snowing when I took my son to his high school but by afternoon that snow was melted away. That is one of my favorite signs of spring. That means there is no great pile up of the white stuff, no long lasting snow on the ground to reflect the sun’s heat back to space.

And that can only mean sometime soon my husband will hoe a row for spring peas in the tradition of his grandmother. This year he will not do it in February as he has done in past years. It will have to wait for March. And March starts next week.

March signals the end of high school basketball. And it starts into the March Madness Final Four basketball tournament. How do my husband and his friends celebrate? They get-together on that first weekend of 24/7 games, play cards, drink beer and have a no-holds barred guy time.

By the time it is all over, well, spring has made definite inroads.

However, the best sign of spring by far is when I hear those four magical words.

“Pitchers and catchers report.”

Now starts the daily reports of Cubs and White Sox baseball spring training camp. Now we get to hear about who is playing where, if there are any spectacular last minute deals, how much is the MLB network is going to have to edit what Ozzie says in their new reality series called The Club. Oh yes, baseball is back!

Do you have any sure signs of spring?

Karyn Bowman lives in Kankakee County with her outdoor writer husband and four children. Become friends with Karyn on Facebook or send an e-mail to momgoestothemovies@sbcglobal.net.

Once again, one of the players on the Bulls has Plantar Fasciitis. It is affecting his playing and making it rough for the rest of the team.

You are probably wondering how can that particular ailment can cause so much havoc. Can’t they just put a brace on the foot or wrap it to give the foot some stabilization?

Oh, if only it were that easy, my friend.

I can tell you the pain of Plantar Fasciitis because I have had it. It is sneaky and painful. You going along, doing what you need to do. Your feet might feel fatigued but nothing too big deal.

Then you sit down, maybe to rest or to eat or to drive home. Then you try to stand back up and the inside arch of your foot hurts, it burns and each step is torture. You are hobbling because it hurts so bad.

Now imagine what Noah must feel. He is playing at the beginning of the game and all is going well. Then the coach decides to give him a break, Noah sits on the bench until it is half time and they go into the locker room. Noah stands up and feels the tell-tale burning sensation on the arch of his left foot. He limps to the locker room, no doubt in my mind to put a bare foot on ice.

I was in my 30s when I started having symptoms. But like a lot of health concerns, I pushed it off. My feet would hurt every morning when I got up. I would slowly make my way through getting the kids up and going, then head for breakfast downstairs.

I saw an article in the Daily Journal about Plantar Fasciitis and contacted the clinic in Manteno. Dr. Rebecca helped me with shoe inserts to better support my arches. She also gave me exercises to stretch the Plantars plus I had to ice my feet every night. Man, did that ice hurt. I did not mind the stretching so much because I could feel the improvement.

Eventually, I ended up doing steroid shots in both of my heels. Dr. Rebecca had to put several pokes in right on the muscle and it hurt every single time. I nearly cried with each injection. But I did manage to keep my feet still enough for her to do the shots. The end result was worth it. I was back to being able to walk and move without being in pain.

Other people are not so easily cured. Some have to do a sound wave treatment, last resort treatment is to do surgery.

Luckily, Noah is young and he can recover. He may not be able to have steady play time now. But with good treatment and his own discipline in following a treatment plan, Noah can get through it.

Karyn Bowman is also known as Mom Goes to the Movies. She lives in Kankakee County with her outdoor writer husband and four children. Become friends with Karyn on Facebook or send an e-mail to momgoestothemovies@sbcglobal.net.