That's a line 'little Winthrop' (aka Ronnie Howard) sings in musical The Music Man and it describes exactly how I feel about Spring. April and May are my #1 favorite months of the year. With late snows and cold temperatures in the 1st week of April, Winter has held it's tight-fisted grip on us for an extra long time but the final finger has been peeled back and Spring is finally bursting out. Even though the general landscape doesn't seem any different, if you look closely, you'll see little signs of a new season popping up here and there. What are the typical signs you look for? Spring beauties, crocuses, and daffodils blooming, bluebirds scouting out a nesting box and the sandhill cranes flying overhead are some of my favorites. See the bee in the photo below? The presence of insects is another signal … [Read more...] about “Yes it could be, it surely could be, something special just for me!”
Wildlife
And Then Spring Whispered
John Steinbeck wrote “What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” Well . . . this year, warm weather will be mighty sweet! Enter the Lion Winter keeps knocking at the door. From the early December grey chill to the many subzero temperatures mid-winter to the late snow this spring, we have endured a very long and very cold winter. March arrived like a lion with biting winds and the coldest temperatures on record since 1879! Most folks around here are aching for the spring warmth and sunshine to come once again. But sometimes the wait is all the sweeter. This is what we woke up to on St. Patrick's Day! It was one of the most beautiful snowfalls we've had this winter season. The flakes of snow were gigantic and they quickly covered every twig. Our walk … [Read more...] about And Then Spring Whispered
1300 miles of snow!
OK, I confess. Our storm wasn't as good as this, but . . . I'd give it an 8/10. It was the perfect time, the perfect amount! In the wee hours of Friday night while we slept, light snow began to fall. It quickly picked up intensity and snowflake size as Saturday rolled in. Throughout the day we had that picturesque scene from every Hallmark Christmas movie. Big white flakes falling thickly outside while we gathered by the windows inside. There were no worries; we were safe at home, warm and together. We could enjoy it without the stress of driving in it or getting to work or school on time. It hit at the perfect time. This particular snowstorm system was one of the largest I could remember in a long time. It stretched 1300 miles west to east, snowing from Colorado to Pennsylvania, all at the same time. … [Read more...] about 1300 miles of snow!
Eating My Words
Remember when I encouraged you in my previous post to get outside "no matter the weather?" Well today, I was eating my words with a dose of pain. No, I'm not rescinding my axiom of getting outside despite the imperfect conditions, but today, I admit, it was a challenge to STAY outside. My college freshman daughter was under the weather with laryngitis and general malaise. She was still determined to get to class at the local community college on the other side of the county. And it was snowing! So as moms do, I offered to drive her 1) to help reduce the stress her body was already in, 2) to make sure our vehicle returned in one, unscathed piece and 3), if truth be told, to take the unexpected opportunity to explore a local nature preserve while it was snowing. I love being in … [Read more...] about Eating My Words