the buzz log

Like a fickle lover, winter blew alternately freezing cold and globally warm this past season. Even now it refuses to relinquish its heavy-handed grasp to the vernal equinox, with floods in the midwest and snow in Chicago (which has already suffered its worst winter in decades). At least the weekend's blinding flurries have left Arizona.

Some signs of spring have bloomed earlier than usual, an outburst that scientists attributed to global warming. Premature biological timing aside, the equinox arrived none too soon for most people. Spring fiercely sprang online weeks ago, as searchers—led by denizens of Philly, NYC, Boston, Minneapolis, and Washington, D.C.—hunted for ways to dump an exhausting winter. People sought out what was blooming, what lay in stores, and what fairweather projects to undertake.

"Spring break" led the vernal searches, but since that has already been covered, let us leap headfirst into a Buzz forecast for other popular spring flings.

• Spring Flowers. Traditionally they're wildflowers, azaleas and daffodils, but gardeners might not be able to break frozen ground yet. If you can dig in, plot out the yard with a color wheel. If not, bring the floral frenzy into the home with the latest kitchenware.
• Spring 2008 Fashion. Out: Boot-cut jeans and other "sensible" pants. In: floral prints, strong arty colors, shoes in general. As for guys, Forbes looked to a few coaches who lead in button-downed looks.
• Spring Training. The most popular teams in Search are the Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves and BoSox. Meanwhile, Buzz stories are eyeing an end to some Florida traditions, when teams like the Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, and the Los Angeles Dodgers head to desert Arizona climes... though maybe not Tucson.
• Spring Crafts. Dedicated crafters have an upcoming convention in San Francisco. Wait for Easter candy to go on sale and go wild with chick-shaped marshmallow inventions. Finally, stormtrooper snowglobes don't sing spring, but who can resist the dark side?
• Spring Dresses. Besides fem florals, celebs have been seen in tent dresses (albeit some for maternal reasons). Seventeen magazine thinks big retro ruffles may be appear at a prom near you... then again, Seventeen got theirs for free.