Spring is in the air, and it's time for Dear Tabby to take pen in paw and answer letters from her many fans.

Dear Tabby,

Every year my sister goes to Capistrano to see the swallows return. She calls it her “rite of spring.” That was all right with me until she asked me to go along. I say going all the way to California is for the birds.

Who's right?

Signed,

Birdless in Buckingham

Dear Birdless,

When it comes to birds, Dear Tabby is all for swallowing. If you have to go to California to do it – I say go for it!

Bon Apetit!

Dear Tabby

Dear Tabby,

Changing to Daylight Savings Time has me going in circles. I can never remember which way to set my clocks. I'm either late or early for at least a week until I get straightened out.

There has to be an easier way! What do you think?

Signed,

Early in Elam

Dear Early,

You've heard the old saying – “the early bird gets the worm.” To be perfectly honest, I don't much care for worms, so daylight savings time doesn't do much for me one way or another.

As you may know, cats have their own daylight saving technique – the catnap. Cats save daylight all the time just by closing their eyes – and they never have to touch a clock.

It works for me!

Dear Tabby

Dear Tabby,

Every year the family takes turns hosting our traditional St. Patrick's get-together, and this year it was my turn. I prepared an authentic Irish menu and bought a real shamrock at the florist's shop to use as a table centerpiece. The setting was perfect for a congenial family dinner until my sister-in-law showed up with balloons and streamers that read, “Love a Leprechaun” – which she tied to every chair in the house.

I say the balloons were tacky – what do you say?

Signed,

Ballooned in Buckingham

Dear Ballooned,

Dear Tabby says there's a simple way to get rid of tacky balloons – put those tacks where they'll do the most good!

Dear Tabby

Dear Tabby,

What would you do about a neighbor who constantly trashes your yard? Somehow grass clippings, sticks and twigs, and even trash from the roadside ends up in my yard while my neighbor's yard is spotless.

I'm tired of trash. What should I do?

Signed,

Trashed in Tuggle

Dear Trashed,

I'm sure you've heard the old saying, “good fences make good neighbors.” Try putting up a fence and let the grass clippings fall where they may. (For an additional fee, Dear Tabby will come sit on your fence at midnight and make that neighbor sorry he ever trashed your yard!)

Dear Tabby

Dear Tabby,

My friends give me a hard time because I don't get into the spring housecleaning thing. I say spring is the time to stop and smell the roses. Housecleaning can wait for a rainy day.

What do you say?

Signed,

Coming Clean in Cumberland

Dear Clean in Cumberland,

While I do subscribe to Good Mousekeeping magazine, I'm with you. My philosophy is simple: enjoy life, sniff a little catnip every day, and don't do anything today that you can put off until tomorrow! Cats (who, by the way, have nine lives) know how to pace themselves. Humans would be a lot happier if they followed our example.

Dear Tabby