In Like A Lamb

Appalachian people hold closely the old wive’s tale that when March comes in like a lion it will go out like a lamb. So if the weather is bad on the first, it should be mild on the 31st. Here in southern Ohio, March arrived gentle as a newborn lamb so we assume that the month will go roaring out.

Another superstition tells us that it will snow three times on the forsythia bloom.Well, it was 75 degrees and sunny for the forsythia bloom yesterday. The evening ended with a thunderstorm. No snow in sight.

Will we see snow this month? Will this fool’s spring succumb to cold and snow when the real spring should be arriving?

Probably so and I’m sorry for that. As much as I enjoy winter with its cold and snow, I’m always ready for spring by early March. Anything different feels like regression and that sounds terrible.

Cheated

I feel cheated.

It is winter in Ohio and we have yet to see any measurable amount of snow this year. It has been warm and rainy with sunshine mostly on days when I’m at work and unable to get out and enjoy it.

We did have a white Christmas but it didn’t last very long at all. It prettied up the landscape for a few days but now we notice the ugly dead foliage and brown grass more than ever.

This week, the forecast is for highs in the upper thirties and forties with snow showers possible one day. That’s barely cold enough for a jacket – much less my collection of cute winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves. I look forward to wearing each year.

Meanwhile, my Wyoming friend has complained that she is shoveling several inches at a time. Maybe we should trade places.

Sigh.

Here’s hoping February will be better.

Note: the photo used here is from last January when Old Man Winter understood the assignment.

Daffodils In Snow

We awoke to a light snowfall yesterday morning. It didn’t even last till lunch but it was a lovely sight all the same.

I’m not sure these pretty little daffodils were so pleased to be blanketed in snow but it made me smile to see how bravely they stood up to it.

Isn’t that how life goes? Everything seems sunny and happy and then something harsh comes along and kills the mood for a while. Luckily, those mood killers typically don’t last forever and the sun will eventually come back.

No Winter Lasts Forever

No winter lasts forever, no spring skips its turn. Hal Borland

This was the view from my window early yesterday morning. While I will be happy for spring wildflowers, hikes and sunny adventure days, I’m equally happy to hold onto winter a bit longer.

We received about six inches of snow Friday night. Saturday was cold and windy and best spent indoors. It was nice cozying up in bed with my book and cat to luxuriate in the knowledge that our muddy brown landscape is again blanketed in something truly beautiful.

I did venture out for a bit to get my hair done but was quite happy to return home to make a good dinner and spend the evening on the couch watching a movie with Scout.

Of course, I do live in Ohio and this is actually the time of year we can experience all four seasons in a span of days. It will be in the fifties on Monday and in the seventies again by Thursday. It’s hard to tell what the following week will bring.

There’s something to be said for simply enjoying whatever this day brings and to remember that no season lasts forever. Every day is a gift and should be treated as such – even if you do think the weather is crazy!

Snow Day Tradition

Any time we have a measurable snowfall I like to bundle up and tromp around outside to look for animal tracks and breathe the cool winter air.

Everything feels so pure and clean, fresh and invigorating. I awoke to eight inches yesterday and we got a little more later in the day. This was our first measurable snowfall this year so I was thrilled to finally take my first walk of the season.

I always drag around my camera or sometimes just my phone to capture photos during my walk. Of course, I tend to make the same pictures every time but try to look at it with fresh eyes.

These images all came from my iPhone yesterday. Here’s one more.

Enjoy your Tuesday, friends. Stay warm and be careful if you’re out. If the sidewalks are bad remember to walk like a penguin to stay upright!

Fool’s Spring

Temperatures have soared and most of the ice and snow have turned to mud this week. I walked the bike path at the lake after work yesterday and was pleased to see so many people out enjoying the sunshine.

Sadly, this is only February and I live in Ohio. Spring has not sprung. This, my friends, is what we cynics call Fool’s Spring.

The sunshine and balmy 45 degree temperatures are just Mother Nature’s way of charming and teasing us with one of her mood swings. Winter will be back so don’t put away those ice scrapers and Bernie mittens just yet.

Lucky for me, I like cold and snow!