Spring means petals, not pine needles. We’ve celebrated Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and, on Sunday, there is Easter.

What is so attractive about a dried-out brown wreath with a faded red bow? It takes less than one second to remove a wreath from the door. Feb. 1 should be declared “National Take Down Your Wreath Day,” and even then that is pushing it.

Since nine out of 10 people seem to live for the spring and summer, why keep a reminder that is so obviously winter?

Down a stretch along the Main Road in Hampden to Bangor I counted no less than 23 long-past-their-prime wreaths. I’ve even toyed with the idea of starting a wreath-removal business.

Are there more important things to be concerned about? You betcha! But it still feels good getting the annoyance of the withered wreath off my chest.

Joan M. Smith

Winterport