Countdown to Spring - Yet, Still, But Not Really

It's sometimes been a little hard to remember we're almost at the end of April.  We've had below freezing temperatures for most of this month's nights.  We've had snow, sleet and freezing rain multiple times. Granted, it doesn't stay around long and, as I type this, there is no evidence of that crappy stuff to be seen. 

There is clear evidence that spring has arrived out there.  Grass is greening up.  Leaves are starting to unfold on trees and bushes.  That pussy willow I mentioned in the earlier posts has gone to pollen.  Daffodils, hyacinth, forsythia, etc. are all out there and in various stages of bloom.  Most, if not all, of the migrating birds have returned.  The robins that I wasn't seeing arrived about a week after my last post and I've been seeing them in droves.

Days and nights are (slowly, very slowly) warming up, and the need to crank the heat up inside has faded to the point where I don't fear looking at the electricity bill anymore.  People are starting to shed their winter apparel for lighter articles of clothing.  Kids now regularly play outside, and it's wonderful to see the park not far from me in use again.  Also not far from me is a marina, and boats are being brought in by car or being unwrapped and taken out of storage, and they'll all soon be hitting the water.  It won't matter that it's still at best in the 40s, 50s and 60s.  They'll be out there like the rest of the spring arrivals, defying the elements and enjoying the moment.

This winter has been like the houseguest that doesn't know when to leave.  While it's not unheard of to still have this kind of chillier and more than a bit snowier/icier than usual kind of weather in April in New York, the winter solstice has worn out its welcome and needs to disappear until December like a good little season now.  I'm going to put away my snow shovel and my ice melt as a symbolic gesture and general hint.  Hopefully, Mother Nature will agree it's time for spring to be in control and not make me haul them out again until after December 21st.

Happy Earth Day, everyone.  Go out and honor and respect the planet 24/7/365.