BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you

Subject: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 02:11 PM

I had a tough year last year getting two new hips, and the restrictions that placed on me. I never took my boat out fishing once, so this year I intend to make up for it big time.
I intend to make 'Carpe Diem' my motto, and no it doesn't mean seize the fish, even though I'm talking about going fishing.
Who else is looking forward to this year, and why?
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Becca72
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 02:51 PM

I lost my job at the beginning of January, had a relapse with a herniated disc (which sent me to bed, unable to move, for 3 days) at the end of January and my mother died at the beginning of February. I'm ready to start fresh this Spring.

People say things happen in 3's...I would just like it noted, for the record, that I have already had my "3" for 2007. No more bad shit, please.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 02:57 PM

Naw, spring sucks. Well it DOES, in our area, whewre a winter's manure-spreading results in quite a nasty mud season and where the melting snow creates a sucking mud that has pulled off many a shoe. I know mine will be sucked off in a few weeks in the parking lot in Brookland, PA. I love the church where that will happen, so I love to go there no matter what-- but I know it will happen.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 03:12 PM

Barefoot?

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Little Hawk
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 03:16 PM

Sure am!

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Ebbie
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 04:10 PM

In Juneau Alaska we don't have a lot of top soil so we really don't have much mud. Oregon, on the other hand, in the spring is a real boot-sucker.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 06:39 PM

We almost got it here, in London today. My daffodils are flowering, so are my hyacninth and violets, there is blackthorn and gorse in the hedgerows along the road and cherry blossom out in Russell Square Gardens.

There have been a couple of days this week where my dining room has been hot enough to sit in wearing just a Tshirt and trousers... Raven has taken to stretching out on the dining table to sun himself. Even saw my first cycling shorts on Thursday.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Sorcha
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 06:57 PM

Not a bad mud season here, at least in town. I'm ready!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 07:00 PM

Liz - you make me feel homesick. Our long term plan is to spend half the year (Jan - June) in England and half the year here....but the long term plan can't start for 8 years (mortgages to pay off, one last child left to grow up -- things like that...). I MISS THE FLOWERS -- when I am asked the biggest difference between US and America I think it is FLOWERS..... wild flowers are just everywhere at home. So - I'm happy where and when I am but so looking forward to not fighting 0 degrees cold and walking through an English bluebell wood again (hope there are still some left when I get there!!!). Thanks Liz, you made my day!

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Jeanie
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 07:12 PM

Sorry to hear about all that has been happening to you, Becca. Like you and Giok, I am also seeing this Spring as the turning of the page into a whole new chapter, and looking forward to it very much.

The past several years had been marked by concerns over family and bereavement and its aftermath, and for a very long time my motto has been "These things will pass." Everything started to turn when I moved into a lovely little house last Autumn. Now my daughter, who's just turned 18 has been offered out-of-the-blue a great chance to train and work in London, and has very suddenly flown the nest. She hadn't been planning to do this for another year or so, so it came as rather a shock - but the good thing is that it didn't give me time to worry about it !

So, yes, Carpe Diem it is, Giok. I've just been acting in a play that initiated me into Morris Dancing - and I enjoyed it so much, I intend to join a mixed morris side (none of that namby pamby ladies' clog dancing for me - I want staves, hankies and bells !) Through that play, I've also met some lovely new friends and been introduced to a theatre group who perform open-air Shakespeare, and looking forward very much to that. I have a list as long as your arm of folk clubs to visit, and have started learning some new songs. I don't think I've felt so excited about life since I was 17. (It's been a long wait...)

Good luck to everyone in their Spring endeavours,
- jeanie

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: skipy
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 07:16 PM

Looking fwd. to bedspring, knackered.
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 11 Mar 07 - 03:57 AM

Truebrit - have a look here
for some more spring flowers. You need to scroll down a bit, but they should brighten your day.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Alec
Date: 11 Mar 07 - 04:02 AM

The highpoints of our Cultural lives tend to take place in the winter months and such engagement as we make with outdoor activities tend to take place when there is no "R" in the month.
At this time of year the best of the former are behind us & its still too early to generate much enthusiasm about the latter.
Nevertheless the prolonged hours of daylight,respite from foul weather & begining of the growing season are all very much welcomed by us.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Alec
Date: 11 Mar 07 - 08:33 AM

Have just (within the last few minutes)seen a Bumble Bee in flight for the first time this year.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Mooh
Date: 11 Mar 07 - 08:39 AM

John...I hear the fish calling my name. So's the garden, the van, the house paint and windows, aaah, spring! Hopefully the new band wll be gigging by then too.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Donuel
Date: 11 Mar 07 - 08:42 AM

I heard the spring peeper frogs last night

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Maryrrf
Date: 11 Mar 07 - 10:42 AM

We didn't have much of a winter here in Richmond, Virginia - but I still love the springtime! It's a beautiful time of year here - I plan to enjoy it!

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 11 Mar 07 - 05:05 PM

Liz -- oh thank you.......The crocuses (croci?????) are just lovely......when 8 years has passed we will be headed over and I will PM you so we can get together for a cup of tea!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Janie
Date: 11 Mar 07 - 06:33 PM

Deborah, No wild flowers in Maine? That far north I don't know nuttin' but I bet the woods are full of spring ephemerals in Maine in --what--- May? Kendall would know. I know from West Virginia south, it won't be long at all before the woods are full of toothworts, spring beauties, trout lilies, mayapple, bloodroot, wood anemones, assorted violets and field pansies. I admit, few of these delicate flowers jump and shout "Hallelulah" becasue they are so small and close to the ground. but they are so lovely and delicate in their soft shades of blue, pink and palest yellow.

Do lupines grow wild in Maine?

Spring in North Carolina is an absolutely splendid time of year. It is in spring that I understand why they call this place 'the southern part of heaven.' Spring starts early here--much earlier than Maine, I guess!

Giok, Becca, et.al. May this spring be full of new green and soft days for you.

Janie

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Bee
Date: 11 Mar 07 - 07:29 PM

Definitely eager for spring... just a month away from Spring Peepers here... six weeks to Mayflowers, Leatherleaf, white violets, Trout Lily, Bluets, Clintonia, purple violets a week later, then Rhodora, Indian Pear, Bog Laurel, Northern Bush Honeysuckle, Bunchberry, False Solomon Seal, Foam flower, Trilliums, Twinflower, Black Chokeberry and a hundred other wild things in bloom. TRUEBRIT, where on earth are you that there are no wildflowers - a city?

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Scrump
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 06:25 AM

Yesterday dinner time* we were able to sit outside the pub in the sun, 17 deg C, wearing T-shirts and (of course) drinking beer. The first day this year of many, I hope!

* 'lunch time' to posh folk

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: maeve
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 06:52 AM

All the wildflowers mentioned by Bee and by Janie, along with many more, bloom here in Maine. We have a lovely spring- but having said that it is an elusive season unless you are outside searching it out.

For me, it begins with the black-capped chickadee's spring song and the first appearance of skunks wobbling across the road. The red elder buds are already swollen, and I hear the chickadees!

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Becca72
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 04:58 PM

A sad sign of Spring, I went by the first skunk-who-didn't-make-it-across-the-road on my way home last evening...

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 05:30 PM

Saw wild daffodils in bloom today, Flowering currant bush in leaf, we have polyanthus in flower in the garden, and a miniature rhododendron too.
I will take the covers off my boat this weekend, and check her over, and dig the emergency outboard out of the garage.
Watch out fishes!

Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Peace
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 05:43 PM

Dead Skunk
( Loudon Wainwright III )

Crossin' the highway late last night
He shoulda looked left and he shoulda looked right
He didn't see the station wagon car
The skunk got squashed and there you are!

You got yer
Dead skunk in the middle of the road
Dead skunk in the middle of the road
You got yer dead skunk in the middle of the road
Stinkin' to high Heaven!

Take a whiff on me, that ain't no rose!
Roll up yer window and hold yer nose
You don't have to look and you don't have to see
'Cause you can feel it in your olfactory

You got yer
Dead skunk in the middle of the road
Dead skunk in the middle of the road
You got yer dead skunk in the middle of the road
Stinkin' to high Heaven!

Yeah you got yer dead cat and you got yer dead dog
On a moonlight night you got yer dead toad frog
Got yer dead rabbit and yer dead raccoon
The blood and the guts they're gonna make you swoon!
You got yer
Dead skunk in the middle of the road
Dead skunk in the middle of the road
You got yer dead skunk in the middle of the road
Stinkin' to high Heaven!

C'mon stink!

You got it!
It's dead, it's in the middle
Dead skunk in the middle!
Dead skunk in the middle of the road
Stinkin' to high heaven!
All over the road, technicolor man!
Oh, you got pollution
It's dead, it's in the middle
And it's stinkin' to high, high Heaven!

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Janie
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 06:23 PM

We look to be in for a dry spring to match the dry winter we had. We are smack in the middle of daffodil season--the early one's are gone the middle ones are prime, and the late daffs are in bud. My earliest tulips are in full bloom, as are the old heirloom hyacinthes that I have never been able to identify. The dwarf iris--some crested and some reticulated are just about finished. Common speedwell, henbit, purple deadnettle, bulbous buttercup carpet the yards of people like myself who don't put much effort into lawns.

But you sure can tell it's dry.

Temps have moderated to daytime sweater weather and nighttime jacket weather. I'm waiting to see the redbuds and dogwoods start blooming in yards and along forest edges.

I've seen pictures of drifts of English Bluebells. They are lovely.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: bfdk
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 06:24 PM

Saw 3 butterflies today, one either a small tortoiseshell or a peacock, the other two definitely small tortoiseshells. Also saw two large bumblebees. Spring is definitely around the corner :-)

Best wishes,

Bente

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Bee
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 07:52 PM

Only sign of spring here is a certain scent on the March wind, smell of wet dead leaves and swelling alder buds. I'm watching for Coltsfoot along the road.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 08:23 PM

Janie -- you are right of course -- lots of Spring flowers here -- I just get sentimental at times......having said that I don't think there is ANYTHING to touch drifts of English bluebirds........

Your beautiful flower cards certainly help put me in the Spring mood.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Bee
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 08:57 PM

TRUEBRIT, I'm betting you meant 'drifts of bluebells', as 'drifts of bluebirds' would be a mite dismal, given they are usually airborne or chirpin' on twigs. ;-)

Fields of buebells are indeed lovely, but I'll raise you a riverbank covered in trout Lilies and Bluets, or an upland field of blooming pink Rhodora.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 09:20 PM

Oops- llong day - perhas I was thinking about the bluebird of happiness!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 03:57 AM

Sure it wasn't these you meant?

It's a wee bit early still for bluebells, they wait until April/May to flower, but the smell of a sun warmed bluebell glade is like nothing on earth... bliss!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 04:05 AM

There are lot of beautiful daffodils round here...they really brighten my day up. I love spring and the flowers and the greenery adn the warming days. Its nearly here!

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 04:09 AM

I have three gorgeous white hyacinths in the garden. If I sit in the dining room and open the window, the smell is stupendous.

Sure beats the smell eminating from the lair of the Limpit. She's been blaming the cats but today we found a small science project (possibly penicillin, possibly a new life form) and a teapot half full of what was once milky tea. . .

I may need to borrow a skunk to use as an air freshener in there.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Bee
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 10:42 AM

It's mild and sunny here today, and I checked on my garden. Joy! My William and Marys (pulmonaria) are sprouting, and my irises, daylilies, perennial geraniums, tulips, all peeking green outta the ground!

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Charmion
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 03:26 PM

Ottawa has just started to warm up, and I actually walked to work in shoes yesterday despite the lingering snowbanks and slush -- every year I just can't wait to get out of galoshes. We had our first above-freezing daily highs this weekend, and the weather forecast is now calling for "rain or snow". Or both, which is actually most likely.

Roll on the Equinox!

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Becca72
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 04:58 PM

one of my favorite smells of all time is hyacinth. As an apartment dweller in the city (and someone with a black thumb!) I don't get to enjoy any planted outside, but right around Easter is a great time for me to wander the floral department of my local grocery store and soak up as much of it as I can get!

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Scrump
Date: 14 Mar 07 - 09:42 AM

Ahh, the smell of bacon frying through the open windows in the morning - that always reminds me of spring :-)

Anyway, I reckon spring's here now, so I can't look forward to it any more. I'm looking forward to the summer instead - beers and BBQs in the garden, folk festivals, sunshine, bad air quality, overheating, not being able to sleep at night, sweating all the time, having to travel in overcrowded commuter trains like saunas... hmmm, maybe spring isn't so bad after all :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: GUEST,ib48
Date: 14 Mar 07 - 04:02 PM

My favourite season.all newborn and the countryside smells beautiful.Is there anything that can beat the smell of freshly mown grass.I am fortunate that i dont suffer hayfever,sorry you poor sufferers.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: GUEST, Ebbie
Date: 14 Mar 07 - 04:13 PM

We don't have skunks in Alaska. For us, the first sound of spring is the long, sweet, pure whistle of the Varied Thrush in the forest.

We STILL have lots of snow everywhere,- with more forecast - but I imagine that deep down below the thick blanket the crocus is preparing itself. (However, at the rate this winter is going it may be June before all the snow is melted. Odds are not lookin' good. :)

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Donuel
Date: 14 Mar 07 - 10:55 PM

It was 78 today.

The spring peepers were 5 times louder tonight than last night.

I hopw they did not emerge so early as to leave them without food , as global warming has caused many birds to suffer a loss of food for their young since caterpillers have hatched a month too early for their chicks to be fed.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: keberoxu
Date: 26 Feb 21 - 12:49 PM

Well, I don't hear any spring peepers peeping hereabouts,
however
the warmer winter days
permit a taste of "mud season" already.
( Seriously, gotta watch the footwear outside.)

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Senoufou
Date: 26 Feb 21 - 02:55 PM

Yesterday it was 18 degrees!! Unbelievably warm after all that snow and below-zero temperatures. (Minus 9)
We have crocuses, snowdrops, polyanthus, miniature daffodils in bloom.The birds are singing and everything is looking perky.
However, we've seen all this before. March, even April, can turn nasty.
But the sunshine lifted everyone's spirits here in the village - most people out for walks, dogs galloping around and even the tame deer BamBam zooming about getting into mischief!
Two fat sows escaped from their field and joined in the fun. Crazy place!

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Helen
Date: 26 Feb 21 - 03:06 PM

Not me! I'm looking forward to Autumn. Less heat, no drought for a change, hopefully no floods or bushfires or other disasters.

My Country –
Dorothea Mackellar, 1906

The love of field and coppice,
Of green and shaded lanes.
Of ordered woods and gardens
Is running in your veins,
Strong love of grey-blue distance
Brown streams and soft, dim skies
I know but cannot share it,
My love is otherwise.

I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of drought and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror –
The wide brown land for me!

A stark white ring-barked forest
All tragic to the moon,
The sapphire-misted mountains,
The hot gold hush of noon.
Green tangle of the brushes,
Where lithe lianas coil,
And orchids deck the tree-tops
And ferns the warm dark soil.

Core of my heart, my country!
Her pitiless blue sky,
When sick at heart, around us
We see the cattle die –
But then the grey clouds gather,
And we can bless again
The drumming of an army,
The steady, soaking rain.

Core of my heart, my country!
Land of the Rainbow Gold,
For flood and fire and famine,
She pays us back threefold –
Over the thirsty paddocks,
Watch, after many days,
The filmy veil of greenness
That thickens as we gaze.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 26 Feb 21 - 03:20 PM

We can forget about you upside down people.

I think brother who's Sunshine Coast region may be glad of an Autumn change. I've not heard how it's been this year but he tells me summer combination of heat and humidity is not always pleasant.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Helen
Date: 26 Feb 21 - 03:31 PM

Well thanks very much, Jon Freeman! LOL

Yes, areas with high humidity and heat are much harder to bear than the dry heat further inland.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Senoufou
Date: 26 Feb 21 - 03:51 PM

I can take any amount of heat (and humidity!). It's the cold and the dreary wet weather that bring me down.
Trouble is, my poor husband starts to suffer from hay fever when the tree pollen gets going (early Spring). He has medication, but it makes him drowsy and dopey.
The pigs have been recaptured and their fence mended. But for some reason they always manage to find a way out of their field. Someone saw them actually climbing up the fence! Never knew pigs could climb!

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Donuel
Date: 27 Feb 21 - 10:59 AM

This summer Oz had a pandemic instead of huge fires. They handled it better than than the US.
Birds and daffodils are starting up again here.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 27 Feb 21 - 11:31 AM

Rather Spring like here in very South Croydon, but cold at night with frosts over last 2!

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: JennieG
Date: 27 Feb 21 - 06:36 PM

Another one looking forward to autumn, although it hasn't been a horribly hot summer - for a change.

Helen, we moved from the Big Smoke several years ago to an inland town and don't miss the humidity at all. If there are rain and/or storms hanging around we really notice the (slightly!) raised humidity here.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: leeneia
Date: 27 Feb 21 - 11:57 PM

Here in Kansas City we had one day of spring - 60 degrees. Today is the day of my annual Attack on the Foreign Invaders. When a beautiful day comes in February, I go out in the yard and spray green weeds such as ground ivy, dandelions and Tartarian honeysuckle.

I read in a garden book that plants which are green at the wrong time of year are foreign plants, some of which could be desirable, of course. But many are pests. So we clobber it when the other plants are dormant and no insects are about.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: JHW
Date: 28 Feb 21 - 05:31 AM

Last spring (2020)I did my Snowdrop walks before covid struck but haven't been able too this year as we have to 'stay at home'. Missed bluebells and wild daffodils last year too, loads of bluebell carpet places all too far away, also Farndale daffodils. Did see primroses in Smardale Gill between lock downs. (they like old railway cuttings)
So will mostly see only local spring this year and be looking forward rather to summer.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: keberoxu
Date: 28 Feb 21 - 02:09 PM

Mud, mud, glo-ri-ous mud . . .

(cue Flanders & Swann, At the Drop of a Hat)

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: JHW
Date: 28 Feb 21 - 02:40 PM

Yes plenty of mud yesterday even avoiding set fields. Some still flooded so impassable.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Charmion
Date: 01 Mar 21 - 06:16 PM

Snow squalls today in Stratford, Ontario. In fact, we usually get our last big snow storm of the year around the equinox, and an overnight sprinkle of snow as late as early May is not unusual.

The soil around here has a heavy clay layer about a foot below the surface, so the fields will be soggy with flooded areas until after Victoria Day (24 May), which is when we can count on no more frost till fall.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Donuel
Date: 03 Mar 21 - 09:43 PM

This is the first night I heard the spring peepers peeping. The day temp was 50 and the night is clear and full of stars with a prominate Mars.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Mar 21 - 02:39 PM

This morning it feels like Spring! The sun is warm and bright, the snow is retreating and exposing the green grass that somehow over-wintered beneath.

Of course, logically speaking, winter is not over. Early March brings on late-winter storms. On the other hand, mid-April heralds southeastern Alaska's dryest season, and that is next month.

Our dry, bright weather typically lasts until the end of June. It is a busy time of year for tourism, fishing and flying, hiking and camping... Don't know how it will be this year- last year it was almost totally different. Lock-down began in March (One week from now it will be a year since I started mine), there were no cruiseships, meaning no hordes of tourists, and daily bad news on many different levels.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Charmion
Date: 04 Mar 21 - 03:23 PM

The full lockdown in Ontario began on Monday, 16 March 2020. Vaccine distribution has finally begun for people who are not among the most vulnerable, and so Spring will be extra-specially springy this year.

But we're still getting snow squalls, so ... not chucking the heavy boots yet.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: leeneia
Date: 04 Mar 21 - 08:50 PM

We have a beautiful day here in Missouri. I bet it was 70 degrees. I took my recorder and my travelling music book out on the front porch and serenaded the populace. Our front porch is up in the air, so I'm in a private nook.

The first pedestrian who came by waved said "That was beautiful."

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: JHW
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 11:18 AM

'the snow is retreating and exposing the green grass that somehow over-wintered beneath.'

Philip Larkin wrote a poem First Sight. Only two verses.
`Lambs that learn to walk in snow, when their bleating clouds the air
Meet a vast unwelcome, know nothing but a sunless glare
Newly stumbling to and fro, all they find outside the fold
Is a wretched width of cold

As they wait beside the ewe, her fleeces wetly caked, there lies
Hidden round them, waiting too, Earth's immesurable surprise,
They could not grasp it if they knew, what so soon will wake and grow
Utterly unlike the Snow.'

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 07 Mar 21 - 07:26 AM

Pretty cold wind here though a run of partly sunny days, and it’s light until 6 pm. Some wonderful displays of crocus in the various parks, just coming up through the grass. Clocks go forward in a few weeks’ time.
Police out fining people who stray out of their local council areas, and parking attendants on mopeds ticketing people who park on grass verges or pavements near beauty spots where people go to walk.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: robomatic
Date: 08 Mar 21 - 12:28 AM

I AM looking forward to Spring, but I'm not in a rush.

We've been having a lovely winter here in Southcentral Alaska. While we've been laying doggo in our homes people here are abundant in common sense and our numbers have been improving. We've been free to shop and to pick up meals to go and to walk in the lovely parks of the city.

Since we're into March, I especially notice the ravens which are expressing territoriality and pairing up and playing face-off air games in the winds that create updrafts and gusts over the edges of our market buildings. Of an evening large males are making their quark calls atop forests of parking lot lamps. I will miss them, because in the warmer weather of Spring they will be much less represented in their foodland of humanity, but rather will raise their young in the wildlands about twenty or more miles away, a safe commute for the adults.

In the past I've noticed the interface of large populations of birds as seagulls will arrive and there will be a period with lots of them an lots of ravens. Both are supreme aerialists, but being built differently, their expertise varies. Gulls are highly maneuverable and lighter than ravens, and built for more soaring. Ravens are generalists, heavier and broader of body, lower aspect ratio of wing, hence they don't soar like the killing birds of prey. But their play, their rapid rolls are akin to eagles. They appear to me to be smarter than the gulls, and the gulls will yield to them.

We also have pigeons, which I also like, but unless you're near a gathering of them you don't notice them so much. I believe they are year-rounders like the ravens, but I believe they are strictly urban. As we walk the sidewalks streets and parks, we also run into urban moose, and these are rarely aggressive, but they can be, particularly around other moose and dogs.

I saw a black bear in the neighborhood last summer, and I know that bears have been around throughout the winter, but it is less usual to run into signs of bear than moose.

And everywhere we have these magical ever changing examples of hard water. How hard it can be, how soft it can be, how it can vary from day to day. If you want to go high into the nearby mountains you will strap spikes to your boots. If you want to maintain yourself on the many trails, you will fit your shoes or boots into elastic and chaing linked little spikes. If you simply want to survive a tilty parking lot, you will snap on mini or nano grips. And you will do something similar for your vehicle.

The backyard toys seem to be endless: Snowshoes, nordic skis, skate skis, crampons and ice axes. And of course all those fuel burning toys, which I have for the most part avoided.

So, Spring will come when it comes. The days are growing perceptibly and their growing is growing. It will top out soon at solstice, and of course we'll shift to Daylight Savings Time, which will be another presage to the incoming season, but we'll be able to ski locally (as in right outside on the sidewalk) for a few weeks more.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: JHW
Date: 09 Mar 21 - 05:31 AM

Lots of Arum leaves in local hedgebacks. Usually very rare in the grim North of England as they are sposed to need chalk, we have clay. Some in garden too. Now not.
See what happens later in spring.
Seen some Coltsfeet flowering. Leaves later as you'll know.
'

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: keberoxu
Date: 12 Mar 21 - 09:54 PM

Temperatures about to take a nose dive this weekend.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: keberoxu
Date: 13 Mar 21 - 03:17 PM

A cool, witheringly dry winter wind
scouring the clear blue sky today,
and things will refreeze for a little while.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Donuel
Date: 13 Mar 21 - 07:32 PM

I ordered some of the most bizarre Hawaian shirts I could find, one for each week of summer. No more jackets for spring, just sweaters. But summer, ahh.
More than half of the shirts are processing or out of stock so I'll try new ones with the credit.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: keberoxu
Date: 13 Apr 21 - 09:21 PM

It's been warm enough
that there is not as much mud.

Although, at this point, we could use the rain ...

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Donuel
Date: 14 Apr 21 - 07:43 AM

crossing that bridge when you get to it.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: robomatic
Date: 14 Apr 21 - 10:14 AM

I think it's remained above freezing all night. We are beginning to think that the streets will be ice-free in a week and the sidewalks maybe the week after. I am still wearing heavy-duty shoe grips, called 'kahtoolas' when walking the dog. Fun times.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: robomatic
Date: 15 Apr 21 - 10:26 PM

Went hiking today without any spikies on. Trail was soft but not yet slushy. It will be, however. The main roads are clear of snow and the sidewalks on the sides of the streets getting direct sunlight are mostly clear. We think we are in the Spring meltdown phase. Yesterday saw my first motorcycle of Spring. Today two more motorcycles and several motorhomes.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: robomatic
Date: 15 Apr 21 - 10:29 PM

holy crap! no sooner had I hit 'submit message' then I saw on the local news that the temperature will hit over 50 degrees this weekend! Talking balmy sun 'n fun. You won't be reading from ME this weekend. Gonna be working on my 'laska tan!

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: robomatic
Date: 16 Apr 21 - 06:01 PM

Started the walk today with long sleeve shirt, finished in a short tee. The black lab I was walking was overheating. It got up to 43F. I can even walk to Starbucks on nothing but pavement! Woo-Hoo!

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: keberoxu
Date: 24 Mar 23 - 03:43 PM

We still have frozen snow on the grass and at the curbs (where the snowplows left it) while the weather warms up.
This weekend an approaching storm will arrive during fluctuating temperatures,
so we could go from snow to freezing rain to rain in a day.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Donuel
Date: 24 Mar 23 - 08:26 PM

Most trees are blooming and the hyacinths are nearly full grown.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 25 Mar 23 - 03:35 AM

Me: is the weather going to be sunny, rainy, windy, snowy, hot or cold today?

Spring: Yes.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 25 Mar 23 - 09:21 AM

This has been the worst March I can remember for years. The budgie smugglers will have to wait.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: keberoxu
Date: 30 Mar 23 - 06:04 PM

Last night a snow squall scared motorists on the highway
and dumped a bunch of snow.
But today, much of it melted in the sun.
So it isn't as wintry as it was in the recent past.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Charmion
Date: 30 Mar 23 - 06:18 PM

It’s been a cold, wet and messy March in these parts, and April won’t be much different for some time. My daffs are coming up but the rest of the garden looks awful — broken branches all over the place, piles of rotten leaves, dead-looking grass and, of course, rather a lot of mud.

I saw a cock robin on the back fence yesterday. He did not look happy; the snow was blowing sideways.

Roll on May.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: keberoxu
Date: 05 Apr 23 - 09:29 PM

THis is the first night that I have heard
the peepers peeping in the marsh by the side of the road.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: gillymor
Date: 05 Apr 23 - 10:55 PM

I like New York in June,
How about you...

I envy you up there, our Spring here in South Florida is already fleeting with daytime temps in the 90s. Our early summer does have it's charms though, it's got the snowbirds heading northward early thus relieving the seasonal congestion and snook fishing will just keep getting better until the late fall. Golf courses will be far less crowded and the green fees will drop about 400%.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Donuel
Date: 06 Apr 23 - 07:48 AM

Today in DC is in the HUMID mid 80's with thunderstorms and hail.
It is the remnants of the 24 tornado storms down south.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: keberoxu
Date: 06 Apr 23 - 01:44 PM

Spring is positively here today.
The songbirds are making a collective racket,
the bugs are starting to turn up,
the tulips and daffodils are coming up,
the breeze is gentle and warm ...
and it's supposed to rain before sundown.

Oh, and the squirrels are chasing each other
rather than digging up buried nuts as they were doing last month.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 06 Apr 23 - 03:53 PM

Chiffchaff singing for the first time (the bird that sings its name...), but it isn't spring until I've seen the first Brimstone...

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Donuel
Date: 06 Apr 23 - 06:53 PM

It is Spring regardless of Steve's personal sighting.
The Hyacinth and Magnolias are fading.
Climate change has extended allergy season by 20 days.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 06 Apr 23 - 07:18 PM

I have had no sighting. I HEARD the Chiffchaff (birders will tell you how hard they are to spot, let alone distinguish from willow warblers) and I have yet to see a Brimstone butterfly, one of the earliest to fly here. As for your "allergy season", whatever that is, do apprise us of your evidence for its early arrival. Hyacinths are stinky buggers and, if your magnolias are going over, then plant something different. My Magnolia stellata bushes are just about passing their peak now, but magnolias of other species are yet to reach full bloom. Attend more closely to detail is my advice.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: leeneia
Date: 10 Apr 23 - 01:01 PM

It's spring in Missouri. Tulips are up and trees are flowering. Right now there's a powerful thunderstorm, but we have carried out one of the rituals of Midwest life, checking the Convective Outlook on various weather websites. Despite the fierce storm, all across the country tornado risk is 2% or less.

At the back of our house is a modern sun-room, and we're glad we have it, except that during a hard storm the noise of rain on the roof is extremely loud. Today's rain is so bad that I ate my breakfast at the computer in an interior room.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: robomatic
Date: 10 Apr 23 - 05:39 PM

2 more inches of snow last night.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: keberoxu
Date: 13 Apr 23 - 02:30 PM

Well,, the reason that I am looking forward to spring today is because
it feels more like summer, it's downright hot and dry outside.
Winter seems to have gone to summer in less than a fortnight.
I hope we get spring back, and soon;
the summer can wait.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Donuel
Date: 14 Apr 23 - 09:17 PM

Spring makes for fine concert going. The last time I saw the Taiwan symphony was in 2006 and now they are back again at the Kennedy Center. Political controversy has again erupted and this time has   required the Taiwan orchestra to change its name and leave their diplomat at home. Like last time there is a fancy reception after the concert.
I'm only 10 minutes away from another grand concert hall.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Apr 23 - 07:05 PM

Spring is being rushed here..(north of Wash. DC). My azaleas are about 2 weeks early, overlapping the daffodil season. I'm expecting a long, hot Summer.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: keberoxu
Date: 10 Mar 24 - 03:53 PM

The vernal equinox is yet to come,
but in some places there has been weather that can only be described as
springlike, usually resulting in a lot of mud.
We had mud last week; the mud is freezing today,
and we may have snow tonight.

It may be early for spring, but it would be welcome here.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: Donuel
Date: 10 Mar 24 - 10:09 PM

Keb, you are the mudcat resurrectionist and thread historian.
April showers bring May flowers but winter mud brings springtime crud.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you
From: keberoxu
Date: 11 Mar 24 - 11:34 AM

Well, the mud is frozen today,
the snow is turning to ice underfoot, and
the wind is brutal, making the flags stream and strain from their flagpoles.

I'll put up with the mud just to see the ice melt underfoot.