POTHOLES: Here is one sign of spring that people do not look forward to every year: potholes.

Duke Center author Bill Robertson said there are plenty his way right now.

Bill writes, “I live in Duke Center — the pothole capital of Pennsylvania. In places, the road from Derrick City through my town to Prentisvale has ceased to exist. Instead, it has become one endless series of shock-busting craters. The situation has become so absurd, I’ve been ‘driven’ to write this poem:”

DRIVING DOWN THE CENTER LINE

I’m driving down the center line

I’m not stupid; I’m not blind

It’s just the road is full of holes

No matter where a fella goes

Driving to the left or right

Simply isn’t very bright

I’m weaving like a silly drunk

To keep my car from going “plunk”

To keep my car from going “plunk”

To keep the lid down on the trunk

I give a curse and angry shout

When I finally bottom out

SPRING: We’re always happy when people start telling us they see robins.

On Friday, a Congress Street reader called to report a pair of robins in her yard that morning.

“They are out there eating the worms,” she said. “We sure have had a couple of beautiful days.”

She’s hopeful that spring is really here, saying maybe nature is privy to more details than we are.

On Monday, Muriel Okerlund of Gifford contacted us to let us know that it looks like spring has made it to the Hilltop as well.

“I know you have had several sightings of robins in the past few weeks; however, Spring does not arrive as soon up here on the Hilltop, as it does for you in Bradford or Smethport,” Muriel said.

“But this morning at 9:15( Monday the 18th) I spotted a robin in our tree in the front yard, then this afternoon two more robins in the pasture across the road. I’m so happy spring has finally arrived in Gifford.”

MORE: And one more sign of spring — it’s Era reporter Ruth Bogdan’s birthday. Join us in wishing her birthday joy!