The past few days, the sun was shining bright, and the temps climbed into the 50s, so I kept the door wide open at my store for the duration of my work days. The thermostat read the room at a comfortable 65 with the fresh air rolling in, and it was magical, to say the least. I saw so many local folks and their dogs out for walks, many of whom I hadn't seen for what felt like months, since the cold kept everyone from wanting to be outside for extended periods of time. We all collectively agreed that we're probably in the middle of False Spring, but I can't help myself—I've fallen right into its trap.

Something about days like this reminds me of being a teenager. This time of year, the high school ski team season was over, and spring sports hadn't started yet, so school would let out and I'd be free for a few hours before dark. Always, we'd pile into somebody's car, put all the windows down, turn up the music, and drive around drinking 89-cent gas station slushies. We never cared where we went or how much gas we were wasting; all that mattered was that it was warm outside and we had the time to enjoy it.

Although I don't pack my car full of friends and drive around drinking slushies now on these warm afternoons, my excitement remains the same. Instead, I find myself finally having the energy and opportunity to do the things I've put off all winter long. Some tasks are so simple, like shaking out the throw rugs and letting them sit outside for a few hours, or opening the windows and letting the fresh air breathe through the house. Others are a bit more complex, such as picking up the broken pieces of an outdoor patio set that didn't survive the winter, falling victim to some heavy ice and snow that came off the roof weeks ago.

"False Spring" is a short stretch of time, usually in March, where the weather warms up for a few days and melts some of the snow, but is usually followed by more winter weather and colder temperatures. Although typically short-lived, it serves as a great opportunity to check off some to-do items on your list in preparation for actual springtime—especially if you're thinking of listing your house in the coming months. Some of those items may include some light cleaning, like dusting and washing windows, or cleaning the floors and area rugs. Other tasks, such as testing out sump pumps and ensuring they are ready to go once the ground thaws, are wise to tackle as well.

Even though I love winter, it's hard not to revel in the joy of sunshine and fewer winter layers when leaving the house. I know it won't last, and already the forecast is calling for snow most of next week. But before then, we still have a few days ahead of us expected to hover in the upper 50s. Truth be told, I think I might call up a couple of my friends and see if they want to take a drive one of these afternoons. Maybe even buy some gas station slushies and turn the music up a bit, just for old times' sake.

Paige O. Roberts has a degree in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in The Henniker Review, Sidereal Magazine, Rejection Letters, and Cypress. She has been nominated for a Best of the Net and Pushcart Prize. She lives in northern New Hampshire, where she owns and operates a pet boutique called Tailswag.