pick of the week: The joys of spring include basking in the fresh air on a walk in the park, delighting in the beauty of emerging buds and savoring the melodies of singing birds. All three can be accomplished simultaneously at the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary, which opened for the season over the weekend. The 15-acre garden — the nation's oldest public wildflower garden — includes a walking trail with 49 interpretive stations offering information about the 500 plant species and 130 types of birds that live in the park. The garden is open daily from 7:30 a.m. until one hour before sunset. The visitor center opens at 10 a.m. every day except Sunday, when it opens at noon. Admission is free. The park is on Theordore Wirth Parkway between Glenwood Avenue and I-394. (bit.ly/1SHDl7n)
Feel the fever: Is spring fever real? Yes, scientists say. There are both psychological (increased problems concentrating) and physiological (we tend to sleep less) changes associated with the arrival of warmer weather. Our eating habits change; we crave lighter foods than in the winter. And, studies have shown, our sense of smell becomes sharper, although some researches think that has more to do with the increased humidity than changes in our noses. Can spring fever be cured? Perhaps, but why would you want to?
Day by day: Wednesday is national Read a Road Map day. When your kids give you a quizzical look, explain to them that it's a paper version of GPS.
recommended reading: The medical community, which once scorned the holistic health claims tied to essential oils, is jumping on their bandwagon. Read about how they're changing their minds in Wednesday's Variety.JEFF STRICKLER
