BS: Looking forward to spring, how about you

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.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 - 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 - 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 - 03:06 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.