Since when has the weather been a topic of conversation between practically everybody?

Actually, it’s been a topic of conversation since the 18th-century Enlightenment period.

Revolutionary growths in agriculture caused new awareness about climate patterns and its role in agricultural life. Talking about the weather was just about as good as talking about the latest celebrity gossip.

Other than that, weather is something to talk about on a boring date.

Lately though, the weather seems to be what everyone is chatting about.

Every day, my Facebook news feed is filled with statuses about the weather. From “I love this warm weather,” to “I’m tired of snow … can’t wait for spring,” the statuses change right along with Mother Nature.

On Feb. 2, Punxsutawney Phil peered from his hole and did not see his shadow. This was a positive sign to all of us warm-weather lovers that spring is on its way. However, we’ve received several mixed signals since then.

The day the groundhog confirmed to us that winter would soon be gone, the high temperature in Baldwin City was 18 degrees. Two weeks later, it appeared that spring may very well be on the way, as temperatures varied from 51 degrees to 75 degrees. Four days later, there was an inch of snow on the ground. Earlier this week there were spring-like thunderstorms.

Many of us are getting irritated and impatient with the weather.

The first day of spring isn’t until March 20. So, why are we all so anxious for spring weather?

Because we were given hope that winter would soon be gone.

By who?

A groundhog.

With weather applications on our iPhones and laptops, and many local and national news stations with weather forecasts, there should be no surprise on what the weather is doing when we look out the window.

However, instead of relying on the meteorologists who make a living out of predicting the weather, we choose to put our hope into furry creature that comes out of his burrow once a year.

As March makes its appearance, many are hoping that spring weather will appear as well. As the saying goes, March has a tendency to go “in like a lion, out like a lamb.”

Hopefully, the “lion” weather already paid a visit, because it’s time to see sunny skies and warm weather.

It’s also time to find a new conversation starter.