Countdown to Spring - Oh, Wait ...

That's right.  It came in  Saturday morning.  Oh, yes, yesterday was the official start to spring.  It's going to be a while yet for it to be felt far and wide.  But according to the calendar, it's here.  Friday, the last day of winter, had a short burst of snow in the morning, not even enough to coat everything one last time.  Lots of wind as well, enough to take down a few larger dead trees, one of which fell in the back yard of the house where I live.  No damage, no injuries.

With all the above-freezing temperatures we've been having locally in the last two weeks, there isn't a smidge of snow left.  I did say that I would do the Snoopy Dance when that happened.  I made the attempt to show that cartoon beagle joy, only to discover I'm not as young or agile as I used to be.  Happily, there is no video of my sad little attempt, but it's the thought (that I didn't end up in the emergency room) that counts.

Crocuses are up and in bloom, snowdrops were up and in bloom and are done for the season.  Daffodil leaves have emerged, but I haven't seen any blooms or buds yet.  Some of the trees are more than ready to let those leaves show themselves, others not so much.  But most importantly, the wild onions have appeared in the yard, and I can see the stinky skunk cabbage as I drive over the bridge and out into the world for work and shopping.  No dandelions yet, but they're only a week or two away.

Lots of spring bird songs now.  Many of the migrators have returned, but I have yet to see is a robin.  I know they're out there, but I've usually seen them stalking earthworms in the nearby park by now.  I'm sure they're here – somewhere else.  Eventually, I'll see my first one and, as always, it'll make me smile.

So after our long, cold, pandemically-influenced winter, more daylight, warmer temperatures and more chance of rain than snow seem to have more meaning.  I don't know about all of you, but this seasonal renewal that is spring is especially welcomed this year.  

Get out there and enjoy it.  I know I will.

Countdown to Spring - The Big and Little Cats of March

There's a saying that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb,  The latter part of that saying remains to be seen, but this month definitely came in roaring. March 1st was ushered in by some gusty winds, and there have been several days, today included, where it's been kicking dust and debris around at 30-40 miles per hour out there.  My deck and walkway have been littered with tree branches, what I refer to as Mother Nature doing her final housekeeping of the winter season by clearing away the dead branches so that the ones still with life in them have room to grow.

My winter housebound cats (their choice to stay in and keep their feet, faces and fur warm and dry) don't like going out when it's windy.  But last week, when the temperatures got into the 50s and 60s during the day, they were outside sucking up the light and heat of the sun anytime the wind died down.  They've also discovered that at around 8:00 AM (now 9:00 AM thanks to Daylight Saving Time that started today), the sun comes streaming in the balcony door and they can get their solar "fix" for at least an hour before it goes away and returns on the other side of the house around 11:00 AM.  So, while the big cat of winter may roar all it wants, the little cats seek out signs of it going away and of better days that are coming.  They're as tired of the darkness and chill as we are.

Only 6 days until spring.

Countdown to Spring - Looking Down is Looking Up

Okay, not quite Snoopy Dance celebration time, but ever so much closer.  Lots of snowmelt over the last week and lots of bare ground showing. Interestingly, grassy areas seem to be the last to undergo the transformation.  Shame - brown ground is nice, but green is so much more supportive of spring fever.  

The ground around trees has shown the biggest melt, and looking up, I can see why.  Their branches show extensive budding.  They know it's time to wake from their dormancy.  I have a coworker who taps maple trees to gather the sap and make syrup.  Although he had slow start this year, he's seen the signs of tree life as well and is preparing both trees and equipment for this annual activity.  In the past, I dropped hints that I would welcome being a paying happy recipient of some of that freshly made syrup gold, but it's always destined for family consumption.

By the way, I FINALLY bought the soil to start my seeds and that'll get done today.  I may or may not have seedlings by the time I reach the end of this silly series for this year, but I'll still reap the benefits of the early start of my little herb garden sooner rather than later.  I don't start vegetable seeds because I don't have the room for much more than one or two veggie plants.  The patio tomato plant will be a purchase later on, maybe around my birthday in May.

This coming week will bring – be still, my heart – 50s and even 60s during the day.  It's going to drop back to the 40s again by the weekend, but if ever a pandemically isolated, winter-weary world could use some sunnier and warmer time, it's now.

Only 13 days to spring.

Countdown to Spring - Snowmelt, Baby, Snowmelt

We had snow again early on Friday.  I didn't whine or complain.  Why?  After several days of not getting out of the 20s during the day and being in the teens and even single digits a couple of times at night, we were graced this last week with 40s, 50s, and even one day when it hit 60.  The snow we had on Friday managed to total 3", but it was immediately compressed and then gone thanks to rain and above freezing temperatures.  I happily shoveled a half-inch of slush off my deck and walkway just to speed the process of making it go away.

As I looked outside today, the area around trees and bushes is down to bare ground for a circumference of anywhere from 1 to 3 feet.  There's life in that there plant-life!  Looking closer, the actual snow depth in general, save for where it was shoveled to from the previous snowstorms, is only about 2-3".  With our temperatures forecast again to be in the 40s and 50s for the first week of March, we might be down to mostly bare ground by the end of the week.  My apologies to any snow lovers, but I am very much looking forward to that, and may have to do a Snoopy dance when it happens.  Yeah, I may be 63, overweight and have arthritis, but I can still manage to look that silly.  Spring fever will do that.

Only 20 days until spring.

Countdown to Spring - Well, It Had to Happen

Today, I shall not discuss snow and snow shoveling.  I think I've clearly established that I'm tired of the precipitation type and the action required to remove it from places where I walk.  Tomorrow, we're supposed to have a little more, as in 1-3" of snow mixed in with rain.  I can deal with it because after that, temperatures will be in the 40's all week.  Let the snowmelt BEGIN!

Did I say I wasn't going to discuss snow?  I digressed.  It's hard not to.  It's still February, after all.

But, I am here to talk about spring fever, which I have and it's right on time, and how I deal with it.  I have need of green and not just the green of my houseplants.  I need new green, new growth, that which can only come from starting seeds.  Some might say that it's too early for it.  I say they're wrong.  January is too early.  I started tomatoes one time in January and had fruit developing in March.  Much as I love home-grown tomatoes because the flavor usually runs circles around store-bought, my early crop was a little boring, or what I refer to as cardboardy, and I vowed never to let my spring fever control my gardener ways like that again.

Late February is still a little early to be starting veggies.  But herbs, now that's a different story.  If all you want is green, starting herbs now is the way to go.  It's all leaves, all green, all shiny and new, and it does a spring fevered heart good to see them pop through the surface of the soil and make their way into the world.

So, I headed toward my local produce store, where they always have their seed display out by January 1st each year.  They also have a greenhouse, where I'll go when I need a serious "fix" of exposure to flowers, herbs and developing vegetable plants.  I wandered up and down the rows of seeds, looking at the pictures on the packets and knowing damn well my plants were never going to look that good.  I had specific plans on herb seed starting - sage, rosemary, and thyme (no, silly – parsley is started later in the season).  Last year, I started sage, thyme and oregano, but I only got the oregano to winter over inside and it's gotten seriously scraggly looking - not enough sunlight, mostly.  But by the time the seeds get growing, there will be light aplenty.  So I plunked down my green paper (money) for five packets of spring fever remedy and headed home.

What I forgot in my glee of buying those seeds was the soil to start them.  Yeah, Lauren, something to grow them in.  Duh!  It's okay, I can wait two days to go get that.  Why not go tomorrow?  Because it's going to snow – again.

Only 27 days until Spring.

Countdown to Spring - I Take it Back (Sort of)

Okay, I am officially over February, over winter, over shoveling, etc. etc., etc.  After our 18" of dry fluffy snow, we had another 5" of slightly heavier snow last week.  We're expecting another 3-8" of snow tomorrow into Tuesday, with the possibility of ice on top of it all, followed on Thursday by snow and possibly freezing rain, with rain on Friday to make a lovely mess of it all.

If Mother Nature is trying to try my patience, it's working.  I know we've been fortunate in that, except for the 15" snowstorm in December, we didn't have anything until February.  I didn't have to sweep or shovel, didn't have to throw de-icer down until this month.  However, it seems to be making up for lost time in terms of the frequency and amounts we're getting and predicted to get, not to mention we're getting into the messier winter weather as the slightly warmer temperatures start to creep in.  I know, it's a seasonal process and one we go through, for better or worse, every year.  I understand it.  It doesn't mean I have to like it.

However, as I look out the window at bushes and trees, I see evidence of their awakening from their winter slumber in the form of leaf buds.  I also hear some of the birds doing some territorial singing as well.  Granted that they're year-round residents and will have to re-stake their claims once the migrating birds return.  But these little reminders of warmer, greener days to come are most welcome and will keep me going as I pitch said forecasted snow off my deck over the upcoming week.

Only 34 days until Spring.

Countdown to Spring - A Late Start

For those who still read my blog, you know I normally start this series on Groundhog's Day.  I did watch Punxsutawney Phil on 2/2, but was kind of busy shoveling out from the 18" of snow that fell on 2/1.  By the way, just because it's a light and fluffy snow doesn't make it any easier to clear off a second floor deck and walkway.  I am fortunate in that my neighbors came over to help clear the ridge of snow left by the plow and the area around my car, bless them.  I'm getting too old to be dealing with this stuff, yet love New York too much to consider relocating.

So, the groundhog did see his shadow on February 2, which means six more weeks of winter.  Was I surprised?  Not in the least.  Despite not wanting to deal in cold temperatures, snow, sleet and freezing rain, I know it's part of the process toward a normal spring.  The lack of normalcy of this past year due to the pandemic has given me an appreciation for normal seasonal weather and transitions.

Still, as I look out on falling snow again, which will be happening every other day for the next week, it makes me wonder about warmer climes and snow-free places, if only for a short while.

Only 41 days until Spring.

Countdown to Spring - Okay, So I'm Late

I normally watch Punxsutawney Phil on live feed getting dragged out what is likely not his den on Groundhog's Day to predict what the next 45 or so days will bring with regard to weather.  I was a little late trying to get on the official website  on February 2nd and therefore didn't get to watch live as Phil predicted an early spring.

I have on more than one occasion called Phil a "stupid woodchuck".  I'll do it when he predicts a continuation of winter-like conditions and has been right, and also when he's predicted early spring-like conditions and been wrong.  There's just no making me happy in February when all I want are warmer temperatures and nothing coming out of the sky that's frozen or freezes on contact with my deck, walkway, car, roads – well, you get the idea.  By this time, I'm tired of shoveling snow – even more so with the bum shoulder I'm nursing that really doesn't like the action of lift the snow/chuck the snow out of the way.  I'm tired of having to bundle up to go to my car and scrape the frost off and/or sit there with it to let it warm up before heading to work.  I've gotten tired of cats that won't even venture outside until the temperature's above freezing (they have a cat door - there is no excuse).  I am tired of houseplants that shed in the winter, get luxurious when put outside in warm weather, then return to shedding within a week of being inside.  I like it when Mother Nature waters them and I don't have to, too.  I wistfully peruse seed catalogs, thinking about how beautiful all of it will look on the deck and balcony of my apartment, knowing full well that you can't really grow much of anything on a deck under a tree canopy that only allows full sunlight for maybe two hours a day and a balcony that can't handle a full blown sun-loving garden.

Yes, indeed, by February, my spring fever is more than apparent.  So when Phil predicts an early spring and it doesn't happen, I want to call for his removal as a meteorological prognosticator.  But except for a few days of chilliness and a day or so of mixed precipitation that disappeared within a day each time, Phil has been on the money this year.  Temperatures in the 40s and 50s, rain instead of snow.  I can take it.  Yes, I know there's a downside to having early warm temperatures, including early and increased insect populations, an increase in allergies, etc.  But this year, I just don't care. 

So, I sincerely hope it stays nice right up until spring and beyond.  Let Punxsutawney Phil be right in his prediction right up until March 19th and beyond.  After all, I hear woodchuck stew is kind of fatty and gamey.

Only 25 days until Spring.

Countdown to Spring - Well, We Made It

It was my intention to do a post yesterday on the last walk of winter and the first walk of spring, noting how it's so unusual to be able to do them both on the same day because spring started so late in the afternoon (5:58 PM EDST). 

However, I was sick yesterday with a fever that ultimately got to 104°F, sore throat, body aches, and feeling more than a bit tired.  Sounds a lot like flu, doesn't it?  But since I had the flu shot, med folks (yes, I did see my doctor, thank you) are loathe to call it that three-letter f-word without testing and nobody, including yours truly, wanted to jump the extra hoop.  So, stick a fork in it and  call it a 'flu-like illness' instead.  My apologies to any co-workers who were exposed to whichever it was.  I'm feeling much better today, with fever broken, sore throat and body aches just about nonexistent, and a lot more life in my swamp. 

But, I'm taking it easy for an extra 24 hours, and not taking a walk in the rain that is presently coming down at my location.  So my first walk of spring, and the subsequent blog entry, will likely be tomorrow or Saturday, whenever it stops raining.

See you then.

Happy Spring.

Countdown to Spring – Them!

No, not ...

From the 1954 film "Them!"

this one.


This one ...

I saw my first robin shortly after 7 AM this morning.  This was followed by two more 15 minutes later and two more just a few minutes ago.  I suspect our downright nice weather of the past couple of days which has melted about 75-80% of the snow cover helped in getting them to finally fly back to the Mid-Hudson Valley.



So, they have arrived.  I never doubted, but I was beginning to wonder if it was going to be April before I saw and heard my first one.  Did wonders for my mood, gotta say.

Only four days until Spring.

Countdown to Spring - Following the Sun

So, after our most recent bit of heavy snow (good packing stuff – great for snowball fights), we had what I think/hope is the last arctic blast of this season.  As with the first two episodes of polar vortex breakout, I did waterline vigil, getting up multiple times in the night and making sure I still had hot and cold water running through the pipes, not frozen somewhere before that to the point of needing to wait until late afternoon before I could have my morning shower.  Yes, I'm always bleary-eyed and needing coffee more than just wanting it after doing that, but it's totally worth the effort in my book.  Besides, I'm used to sleep deprivation.

Signs of oncoming spring have been elusive.  There are some birds doing what I consider spring singing, year 'round feathered residents claiming their territory.  But I haven't seen any migrators yet.  The robins have not made their presence known even to the folks who tell me I'm late in seeing them every year.  My favorite little pussy willow, which normally is already in early fuzzy bloom, is only starting to bud.  Trees are starting to show signs of life, but it's usually more pronounced by now, although my coworker who taps maple trees to make syrup every year says the sap is running and he wasn't talking about a political candidate, either. 

But the days are getting longer and the sun is coming up more to the north on the horizon and is higher in the sky now.  It's only been within the last two weeks, but I've noticed my cats are seeking out windows and the space at my balcony door during the sunny periods of the day.  With the sun brighter and therefore warmer than the rumpled covers on the bed where the human was previously, they are basking their furry butts.  I totally get it.

Thing is, even after the sun has moved on and the rays are no longer directly coming through the glass, they're still staring out onto the outdoor world, likely with as much anticipation as their owner of escaping the great indoors after all this time.  But, while daytime temperatures in the 40s are friendlier, which is where they are now and are predicted to remain right until the last day of this now dreary winter season, they're still not inviting cats or humans to stay outside for any length of time.  The snow is  going away, but there still a lot left.  Underneath it, though, is brown and even some green.  So, the end of this winter solstice really is coming and will become a memory in less than a month.  Honest.

If you have Daylight Saving Time where you live, it's likely starting this weekend, so don't forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed tonight unless the clocks do it on their own (some do).

Only 11 days until Spring.

Countdown to Spring – Seriously, Phil?

Yes, it's back - the once weekly version of this dull as dishwater series.  So, let us begin.

             Last night, as I have done for the last three nights, I maintained vigil on my waterlines to make sure they didn’t freeze by running both the hot and cold water taps for at least 30 seconds every 2-3 hours.  Yeah, sleep was less than ideal.  However, I had it happen New Year’s Day 2018 when the temperature went to -7°F.  It’s been below 0°F at night since Wednesday night, and there’s just something about waiting half a day for natural thaw and/or calling a plumber that made me decide to go for the sleep deprivation option.  It almost worked.  Had I not slipped up and checked it at 6 AM, I might still have hot water.  That’ll come back later today, though.  You might say let the water trickle or use heat tape on pipes for a better night’s sleep, but this is a unique situation where anything less than a periodic full-on tap run will not work.  Don’t argue with me – I get grumpy when I haven’t had at least my normal night’s sleep.

            But, I digress.  We turn to the south from here in New York to a little town called Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.  At around 7:25 this morning, they hauled the groundhog/woodchuck/whistling pig/destroyer of gardens and lawns named Phil out of his nice warm spot to go through the ritual of predicting how the rest of the winter is supposed to go.  This morning, it was proclaimed that Phil did not see his shadow, which allegedly points toward an early spring. 

Yeah, right.

Much as I would like to climb on that warmer and less snow and ice laden bandwagon, I have my doubts about Phil’s forecast this year.  Quite frankly, with it being maybe 10°F down there in Punxsutawney at the time, I think Phil was either hypothermic and couldn’t see or think straight, or he just wanted to get back in his nice warm hutch and told the throngs of people amassed there what they wanted to hear. 

We’re supposed to be getting some nice 40 and 50-degree weather here for the first few days next week.  It’s sort of the January thaw we didn’t get this winter.  I’ll enjoy the warm weather like everyone else.  It’s a great little respite.  But I know that the 12” of light fluffy snow that fell earlier this week will still be here after the temperatures drop back down into the more normal 20s and 30s during the day and 10s at night later on in the week.  Some of the mountains of snow that were created by bulldozers and front-loaders this past Wednesday will likely be there into March, if not until the first day of spring.

Yes, Punxsutawney Phil is right in that the weather will get better as time goes by.  It will get warmer, the migrating birds will return, the hibernators will come out of their dens, the grass will grow, the trees will come into leaf, and the flowers will bloom.  But I have a feeling it’s going to be on a normal seasonal schedule and nothing sooner.  Sorry, Folks.

Only 46 days until Spring.

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.

Countdown to Spring – Welcome Aboard the Vernal Equinox

So much as it doesn't feel like it, spring arrived shortly after 12 noon my time.  It's cloudy and windy and feels chilly and raw.  Not very springlike. 

Did I mention we're looking at another Nor'easter?  No?  Well, that's because I'm in denial.  It's spring, after all.  Shouldn't its arrival have put a end to that nonsense?  This one could go several ways for my area.  I'd rather it just go away.

I took a walk up the street and saw crocuses in full bloom.  Now, I know this patch of flowers because I planted them myself many years ago and they've naturalized into a very nice two-foot circle of purple, yellow, cream and white crocuses, in that order.  I saw the dark purple ones today.  In a couple of days, the yellow, cream and light purple ones will open up.  The white ones are always last, opening as the first ones are fading.  I look forward to their arrival.  They have been my proof for over two decades that winter really is leaving.

Still looking for the elusive flock of robins I keep hearing about.  I see birds of the right size, but when I get closer, I realize it's starlings.  Eventually, I'll see one robin, then more.  Of course, it might not be until after April starts, the way things are going.

Then, there are the turkey vultures.  Just as the swallows return to Capistrano in California and the buzzards return to Hinckley in Ohio, the turkey vultures return to roost along the Rondout Creek waterfront of Kingston in New York.  Yeah, they're not the prettiest birdies, but they serve a purpose, and at least they show up.  You hearing me, robins?

And so, we've survived another winter, one that's not ready to exit quickly and quietly.  But exit it will, and we can get on with enjoying warmer, longer days and all the activities that go to the wayside during the winter months.  Get out there and enjoy.

Happy spring, everyone.

Countdown to Spring–The Last Day of Winter

Well, no, it wasn’t my intent to miss my self-imposed deadline of Wednesday last week.  But, stuff happens.  This is better, though.  Traditionally, I’ve taken a walk on the last day of winter and blogged about it in this series before.  Now, that tradition has been continued, with the last entry of the series tomorrow.

The snow is just about gone in my area.  Threatened significant accumulation locally from the Nor’easter last week never happened.  At best, my area got an inch.  There are other areas throughout the Northeast, though, that will still be seeing snow on the ground not just tomorrow, but into April.  They truly have my sympathy.  The warmer temperatures that are coming even before the end of this month will help make it all go away and become a memory fast enough.

Okay, so not to rub it in (much) to those who are still hip-deep in the white stuff, I was out on my snow-free and dry deck Sunday in my bare feet.  I figured it was going to be cold, but I wasn’t going to be out there that long, so it wouldn’t be so bad.  I have to say, the deck was actually warm and pleasant under foot.  Although the air temperature was only in the mid-30s, the angle of the sun is now high enough that its rays more directly hit the deck.  It felt great.  I can’t wait for that to happen on a regular basis.

On my other walks, I wasn’t seeing much in the way of spring flowers trying to even send out their leaves.  The only ones I was seeing were planted near houses, where escaping heat coupled with reflected sun’s warmth were bringing them up faster.   But today, I finally saw something I’d been waiting for.  There’s a patch of daffodils that somehow got started between a utility pole and a grate over a rainwater runoff.  They’ve been there for years.  They, too, have been slow to show signs of life.  But finally, I got to see them.  They’re only about an inch high and barely noticeable peaking out from under the leaf litter of autumn, but there they were, those yellow (soon to be green) shoots.  About time, guys.

All the trees and bushes have buds on them, even the ones that won’t be sending out leaves for a while yet.  The maples have been especially noticeable, as they’ve been sending up that sap that the syrup makers covet for a while.  The sap has been feeding tips of branches which have been showing signs of waking for weeks.  The heck with the maple syrup, much as I love it.  Just show me some unfurling leaves!

So many of the migrating bird species are back now, although I still haven’t seen any other robins than the one I mentioned in an earlier post.  People keep telling me they’re out there.  I’m usually about two weeks behind everybody else in my first (live) robin sighting, but even today, looking for them in the places I always see them in the spring  – nothing.  In their place, however, were lots of other birds singing out their territory claims and even a few making nests.  Yup, more than one bird with fluff or twigs in their beak heading for those places they’ve designated home to their spring-borne families.  Now, there’s a sign of renewal if ever there was one.

As I returned from my walk, I looked out the door to my little balcony and saw the last vestige of snow from the igloo I created to keep my perishables from spoiling during our 12-hour power outage during Nor’easter #2.  It’s just a football-sized patch of snow now that will likely be gone by the weekend, assuming I don’t take a shovel to it. 

Hmm, I might have to do that tomorrow.  Sort of a ritual to end the winter season.  It’s been a long one – can you tell?

Only 1 day until Spring.

Countdown to Spring–Roarin’ All the Way

There’s a saying that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.  March doesn’t always live up to that saying to its fullest potential, but this year, well …
In last week’s post, I remarked that Punxsutawney Phil was wrong in the prediction of there being six more weeks of winter.  With all the warm weather and quickly disappearing snow we were having, I couldn’t help but make the remark.  Never taunt the ground hog.

On March 2, after a day of 50-degree weather, but mostly cloudy skies and strangely increasing winds, we had a classic Nor’easter storm develop.  We were fortunate in that we had only a little bit of very soggy snow mixed in with rain.  North and west of the Mid-Hudson Valley, though, got slammed with 2-3 feet of snow.  The ski resorts were thrilled, I’m sure.  The rest of us, not so much.  Power outages were rampant with the high winds taking down branches and trees across power lines.  We were fortunate in that we only lost power for one hour.  As I type this, there are people who are just getting their power back on from last week’s storm and a few that still don’t have it.

Today brings another Nor’easter, only this time, my area won’t get off as easy in terms of the precipitation.  There was disagreement among the forecasting groups about last week’s storm as to what type of precipitation we were going to get.  Not this time.  Although they were differing slightly on the totals, they were all saying snow.  We presently have about 6” of very, very heavy snow.  Yes, this is the snow we used to make snowballs and snowmen out of when I was younger – solid, packable stuff.  You don’t want to shovel it, but you do want to play with it.  I’ll be doing the former tomorrow, taking my time with it clearing my deck and walkway.  I’m a fat, 60+ woman who doesn’t want to end up a winter statistic because she did too much too fast with this hefty, crappy white stuff, aka “heart attack” snow.

But on a positive note, in my walks of yesterday and today, I saw the red ends of tree branches that weren’t there last week.  Those trees are just itching to send out leaves.  I saw crocus, daffodil and snowdrop leaves coming up through grass and debris, all signs of flowers to follow in the not too distant future.  The pussy willow I pass everyday is just about in full furriness.  Well, today, those fuzzies are a little soggy, but they’ll recover.  I’m seeing more and more migrating birds return, although I haven’t seen any other robins than the one I mentioned last time.  Maybe they headed south again to places where the ground isn’t white.  With the migrators, there are more spring songs being heard, songs which will still be heard tomorrow as my area starts to shovel out from what we all hope is the last reminder of this winter season. 

The lion that brought in March will soon be tamed, and the happy playful lamb that signals March’s end will be here soon enough.

Only 13 days until spring.

Countdown to Spring – Finishing February on a Warm Note

When I got home this evening just before 5 PM, I looked at the temperature and it was 54°F.  It reached the high 50s today.  Granted it wasn’t as balmy, pleasant and very wrong temperature-wise as the 75°F we hit last Wednesday, but it was welcomed nonetheless.  Tomorrow will also be in the 50s, then we’ll drop back into the 40s for Friday, when we’re predicted to have snow again.  Sort of like last Friday.  It’s a bit of a roller coaster, but I’m kind of liking the ride, especially when the snow melts away so quickly.

The migratory birds are starting to show up.  Some are expected now, but some are early.  Sadly, my first robin sighting was a dead one on my walk home this evening.  It was likely struck by a car.  However, I was told that there are flocks of them in the area, alive and well, which makes me happy.  Lots of territorial singing by the birds now.  It’s one the signs of spring that I always enjoy, especially at first light in the morning.  A quick note on that – loving the slowly lengthening daylight hours.

Trees and bushes are definitely getting ready to send out leaves to greet the day.  But except for my favorite pussy willow, which has slowed a little in putting on its fur coats, I’m still just seeing buds.  Bigger than before, of course, but still just buds.  End of February would be way to early for anything like leaves and blooms in anything but greenhouses here in New York, crocuses and snowdrops aside.  Too many unpleasant snow and ice surprises can happen right into early April.

However, as a final note, I feel the need to say one thing.  I know it’s premature to do this, given that there’s still three weeks until Spring. 

But, HEY, (Punxsutawney) PHIL, YOU WERE WRONG!

Only 20 days until Spring.

Countdown to Spring – This is More Like It

After a week of staring at the walls and ceiling of my apartment and feeling like a barking seal with an energy crisis living at the equator (translation – coughing, fatigue and fever), I am finally past it and am looking forward to the next few days or gorgeous and, may I add, warm weather.  Warm, as in 60s, possibly even 70.  Yeah, I know, I know, it’s too early, it’s not going to last.  Whatever.  It beats -7°F, doesn’t it?

Our little clipper storm Saturday into Sunday which was supposed to bring 1-3” of snow brought us about 4” locally.  It wasn’t supposed to start until 9 PM, but by 7 PM when I looked out, we already had an inch of snow on the ground, dashing my hopes of a dusting that I could easily sweep away.  Sunday morning, out came the shovel and in about three trips, I had cleared my deck and walkway and then my parking space out to the road.  I didn’t do a great job because it was already sunny and above freezing.  Let solar heating be your friend.  It was, too.  By the end of the day, all shoveled areas were down to bare ground.

It’s been in the 40s during the day the last few days and most of the snow is gone.  Yesterday, it was in the 60s.  It hadn’t melted all the way yet, but it was an 9:1 mix of bare ground to snow instead of 50:50.  By the end of today, well, I won’t even care if it’s not gone.  I’m just going to enjoy those warm southwest breezes.

I did manage a little walking at the end of flu/flu-like things.  Looking up at trees, I am seeing more and more buds at the tips of all the branches.  The pussy willow I walk by to go to the post office is really starting to come to life, with catkins (really, that's what they're called) now starting to peek out from just about every branch.  I have a running permission from the owner to clip a few branches every year.  That'll be coming up soon.

On a sad note, a critter – likely a squirrel – squeezed through the holes of the milk-crate type container that I had protecting my planter with crocuses in it, moved the leaf mulch and had a late winter snack of crocus root and sprout salad on at least half of them.  I suspect squirrel because of the debris pattern they left outside the container and yet still left the container in place.  Ladies and Gentlemen, a round of applause for Houdini the Squirrel!

Only 27 days until Spring.

Countdown to Spring – Melt, Baby, Melt

So, let’s see.  As I was writing last week’s entry, the snow was just starting to come down.  When it got to about 3-4”, I went outside and shoveled my deck and walkway.  Oh, look, it’s light and fluffy.  Not too bad.  About two more inches fell, then the temperature went up and it went from light and fluffy to sogged and glazed over snow.  What had been an easy job of clearing it away turned into a cardio workout at the end of it all. 

I normally appreciate the prettiness of ice coating all the tree branches, especially at night.  But at this stage of winter, it was enjoyed for maybe five minutes, then I just wanted it to go with the snow.

Over this past weekend, a lot of that wintery precipitation disappeared with above-freezing temperatures and a whole lot of rain.  There’s still snow out there, but enough of it’s gone now that it’s about a 50:50 mix of white to greens and browns. 

The forecast for my area for today and tomorrow is near to above 50°F, followed by a return to 30s, then 40s, then 50s, then 30s again.  It’s a little uneven, temperature-wise, blamed on anything you chose to blame it on in the moment.  But with temperatures remaining above freezing during the day at least, and no forecast for any precipitation but rain showers for the next ten days, maybe all these wet, white crystalline structures hanging around will go bye-bye and we’ll head into March with bare ground.

Then, it’ll likely snow again.  That’s winter for you.

In a final note, I am on the downside of what may have been either the flu or a flu-like illness.  Sore throat, body aches, chills, fatigue, and a decent chunk of fever on top of sneezes, sniffles and barking like a seal.  Definitely not a cold.  I normally don’t get sick during the winter, but this year was an exception.  Just another reason for not liking this winter season anymore, eh?

Only 34 days until Spring

Countdown to Spring – The Weekly Version

Yes, it’s true.  Mercifully, I am going to a once a week posting on this topic.  Just in case you might have thought I was showing mercy only to the readers, it’s also a kindness for me as well.  The daily writing of things related to counting down to spring is a discipline that was always difficult and is more so this year with changes in schedule, etc.  Perhaps for 2019, I’ll go back to the daily posts from Groundhog’s Day to the actual first day of spring.  We’ll see.

Speaking of Groundhog’s Day, dear old Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on February 2nd.  Stupid woodchuck.  Doesn’t Phil realize we need the hope of an early spring this year?  I know it really hasn’t been any longer, colder, or snowier than what is considered normal for my area, but it sure felt/feels like it.

There are signs of hope that better weather days are ahead.  The daylight hours are getting longer, the sun coming a little sooner over the horizon and disappearing for the day just a bit later.  Warmer?  Well, no, not really, and we won’t even discuss that polar cold snap that quadrupled my electricity/heating bill last month.  However, if you’re a weather nerd like I am, you’ve noticed a long-range forecasting trend of warming up just a little faster than it was doing back in late December and a decent chunk of January.  It’s not staying obscenely cold for as long is what I’m saying.

Seed catalogs are arriving.  I don’t get as many as I used to because I don’t order that much anymore.  Many of the seed companies post their catalog online for the less frequent customers like myself to peruse.  But, there’s just something about that paper catalog, slowly turning pages and sighing heavily over pictures of fruits, vegetables and flowers which never, ever look that great in your garden that does a winter-weary heart good.  It also fuels my spring fever.  Not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.

I walk quite a bit more than I used to in years past.  As a result, I’m seeing the changes in trees and bushes that start this time of year.  There’s slow-growing evidence of life returning even now.  One of the first I noticed was the pussy willow I walk by every day to go to the post office.  I thought I was seeing things at first.  Nope – little fuzzy buds have emerged on the branches.  No, we’re not talking pussy willows coming into bloom – okay, fur – anytime in the next 2-3 weeks.  It’s just that there’s a reawakening going on and it’s pretty much on schedule.

So, whether you want to believe the ground hog/woodchuck/whistling pig/ whatever you call them or not, spring is coming and will be here on March 20th at 12:15 PM EDT.  It may not necessarily look or feel like it on the day.  Many times, it’s exactly like the winter season left behind the day before.  But, eventually, it always happens.

Of course, that doesn’t mean we have to be patient about it.

Only 41 days until Spring.