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103 messages

BS: Signs of spring

17 Mar 01 - 08:49 PM (#420180)
Subject: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

If you live in the northern hemisphere, in a place with separate and distince seasons, you may be experiencing/looking forward to signs of spring. Here in eastern West Virginia, I've been hearing robins calling, and there are crocuses blooming. I saw a field of some sort of green crop just showing a couple of inches above the surface of the soil a few days ago.

I think I'm ready for spring...


17 Mar 01 - 09:05 PM (#420187)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Matt_R

Here in North Carolina, the fact that it's sunny and 77 degrees outside is more than a sign! Oh course, it's going to be 52 and rainy on Monday!


17 Mar 01 - 09:07 PM (#420189)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: catspaw49

S P R I N G

Print, cut out, and stick next to a crocus for a second "sign" of spring.

Spaw


17 Mar 01 - 09:44 PM (#420209)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: GUEST,Noreen

The howling wind here would only blow it away, Spaw... :0)

There was a lovely fresh smell in the air this morning, which made me think of spring.

Noreen


17 Mar 01 - 10:34 PM (#420235)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CamiSu

It was warm and drippy and bright all day. The lambs are playing king of the hill. But there is still so much snow I don't think I'll see the croci for a while. Oh, and the sap is running. I can deal, spring is HERE!!!!!!!!

CamiSu


17 Mar 01 - 10:49 PM (#420243)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: DancingMom

My daffodils are springing up all over the place. It's 60 one day and 40 the next. We're getting there!


17 Mar 01 - 10:49 PM (#420244)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: gnu

It must be spring here. The robins I have been feeding apples to for the last two months haven't been around the yard for more than a week. They were coming into people's yards looking for whatever they could get because we've had so much snow. Many people around here have never seen a "wintering robin"... some call them stunned robins for not heading south for the winter. I just felt sorry for them and put out apples every day.

Maybe when it warmed up, the apples fermented and they are now sleeping it off. Seems appropo for St. Pat's.

On a more human note, the "Home Shows" and "Lifestyle Shows" are cropping up, all aimed at showing us stuff we would like to have / do / build this summer, but haven't got the money for. But they've got lots of saps running to the shows.

gnu


18 Mar 01 - 12:34 AM (#420288)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Amos

One sure sign of Spring is the sound of sap running richly through the threads.


18 Mar 01 - 12:57 AM (#420295)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

The cool thing about the Mudcat, Amos, is that since it's global, and spring happens somewhere in the world practically all year long, we can pretty much always have sap running richly through the threads. ;-)


18 Mar 01 - 01:22 AM (#420304)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: gnu

Amos...if I am a sap for feeding robins when they are starving, then you must be the kind of person who wouldn't feed a starving robin. Now, that's sounds sappy in a different way to me.

Have a pleasant spring and I hope a thousand robin red breasts sweetly sing outside your bedroom window each morning, EARLY, and shit all over your car.

gnu


18 Mar 01 - 02:19 AM (#420313)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: roopoo

My car is parked on the drive near to a very big old lime tree. It is always prone to being "decorated", but once those birds really start nesting in earnest... The collared doves are the worst. (Autumn's interesting, when the birds have been on the elderberries and blackberries!)Late spring/summer is also a pain when the honeydew from the tree and its insect inhabitants (greenfly, isn't it?) starts dropping on everything in sight and the muck welds itself onto the car. There used to be another tree between the lime and my property. It had to be felled, as it was unsafe and bits kept falling off it (it was a Tree of Heaven), but my neighbours replaced it with a horse chestnut tree that their son had grown from a seed. Now just imagine in a few years when that beggar's grown, what state the roof of my car will be in at conker time!

Still, in the garden the unwanted seedlings are growing furiously, the blue tits are investigating the nest box, the sparrows have been observed picking up nesting material on the yard so that they can start and refill my house roof, and my dog has had its first haircut of the year. Also, I didn't need to put on a coat to go across the road to the pub last night. Yep, spring must be around somewhere.

Andrea


18 Mar 01 - 06:29 AM (#420342)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Jon Freeman

Snowdrops dying down, daffodils and primroses in flower in the garden.

Jon (Norfolk, UK)


18 Mar 01 - 09:09 AM (#420371)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Jeri

If my snowdrops come up anytime soon, they're going to do so under a couple feet of snow. Makes me want to go shovel the lawn off. Oh well, at least it appears to be melting quickly now that the temperatures regularly get above freezing in the day time. This also means taps in the maple trees - another sign of impending spring.


18 Mar 01 - 09:16 AM (#420373)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Peg

Well I saw my first robin the other day; that did it for me!

We still have a fair amount of snow on the ground here; there are worries that there will be flooding if it nmelts too fast. It wil get cold again this week so that will slow it down a bit which is good. (Also good as I am going to Florida on Wednesday!)

My daylilies are coming up; have not seen any other spring flowers; the bluebells in the neighborhood are under snow still...I have a tree full of pussywillows (sadly it has not been pruned in years so the "pussies" are too high up to pick..)

yesterday sunrise and sunset were exactly twelve hours apart! talk about Equinox!

I shall fast (well, not totally abstain from food; just fruits and nuts and herbal tea) for the next three days as spring arrives; I do this at fall equinox too...

Peg


18 Mar 01 - 09:49 AM (#420383)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Micca

We have Daffodils....!!!!! and Primroses, the snowdrops have gone, but the green leaves of the bluebells is visible....and we dont need to put a nightlight under the bird bath to stop it freezing anymore....and Peg, give my best wishes and a big hug to Fritz and Wren and greetings from me.....


18 Mar 01 - 10:39 AM (#420391)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Amos

Sorry for the grumpy post, there, gnu -- wasn't aimed at you. Been on the job too long, or something.

Regards,

A


18 Mar 01 - 10:42 AM (#420394)
Subject: Signs of spring in PY
From: wysiwyg

The day comes when despite all the other tactile signs of winter, you step out to fetch the mail and the air is redolent with the thawing, rotting, liquefying manure spread deep on fields round about, all winter. You pause to give thanks that the only houseguests expected in coming weeks know this as a positive development, themselves. The smell is oppressive, but it's usually gone before it's warm enough to eat or pick out on the front porch, anyway. And then there will be fireflies in the air instead, hatched in the deep brush cover bordering the fields in nature's snowbreaks and in the deer cover lining the low-cutting creek.

A few days later comes the sighing of the mourning doves. This year they run a sweet bass line under the honks of Canada geese who have chosen the ridge that overlooks our little hollow as a resting point on their way to Orillia and points north.

(Amos' well-written line can be taken positively too-- Sap... heck, it's a GOOD thing. This thread itself, calling us to spring, is one sound of sap running in the threads, see? Well done, friend.)

~Susan


18 Mar 01 - 10:56 AM (#420401)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: wysiwyg

Them clones is QUICK.

Took out the right one, too. Thanks.

(I had double-posted with a correction.)

~S~


18 Mar 01 - 11:01 AM (#420404)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Tig

Just been out to fill up my bird feeder which is in the hawthorn hedge opposite the house and find that the buds on it are all turning green and starting to open. The daffodils are open - and I got hailed and snowed on when I went to the Sunday Market!!!!

So much for Spring in Yorkshire.


18 Mar 01 - 11:11 AM (#420412)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Jon Freeman

Tig, We had snow in Norfolk yesterday morning but it didn't last long although if seems to have gone colder again - the weather doesn't really seem as if it knows what it's doing here.

Susan, We have a system with taking what look to be duplicates out - the earliest post get zaps first. If there have been corrections, it is likely that the last post is the right one and working in the same order avoids the risk of all posts getting deleted if 2 JoeClones happen to be working on the same thread at the same time.

Jon


18 Mar 01 - 11:11 AM (#420414)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Long Firm Freddie

Here in Sarf London, I've just had the council tax bill and the water rates bill, and I'll be laying in stocks of anti-histamine for my hayfever shortly (season starts early for me!).

But the daffs are out, the crocuses are great, the squirrels are chasing each other round the garden, and I've changed the wallpaper on my Adobe PhotoDeLuxe software to its Spring setting.

Soon the clocks will go forward, and in four weeks time I'll be eating too much chocolate.

The lawnmower will be coming out of the garage soon, and everything in the garden will conspire against me by deliberately growing.

Blossom is starting to show, and a big girl she is too.

As I type, a big black rain cloud has gathered and we're in for a mighty soaking.

Oh to be in England now that April's nearly there! (She's a good friend of Blossom's)

LFF


18 Mar 01 - 11:18 AM (#420416)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: wysiwyg

Jon, very funny to contemplate-- the day there were so many clones working the whole day's threads got disappeared! What you shared is very interesting-- a high degree of thought goes into what the volunteers do, I see-- not just wham bam thank you ma'am. Not a surprise-- just lovely to see the attention to detail, and appreciated.

Is there a shanty yet for JoeClones? I did a parody on Send in the Clowns but I think a shanty might be more apt.

~S~


18 Mar 01 - 11:37 AM (#420425)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Jon Freeman

Susan, Joe Offer send me a set of hints when I started doing the JoeClone bit. I just follow the system he gave me and I guess devised - it works well.

Jon


18 Mar 01 - 11:38 AM (#420428)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Matt_R

Bradford Pears bloomed about a month ago...Hyacynth, Candytuft, and Daffodils been bloomed for about 3 weeks now. The tulips are just starting to open...


18 Mar 01 - 11:58 AM (#420437)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: GUEST,Roll&Go-C

Just a passing thought for a Joe Clone shanty. How about working on "Haul-away, Jo?" Gotta run!


19 Mar 01 - 12:29 AM (#420686)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Bert

Saw my first YARD SALE sign this weekend.


19 Mar 01 - 09:40 PM (#421247)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Shall

The spring peepers started singing Friday night.I was so excited. My husband thinks I am nuts, getting a thrill from the music of the night. Maybe I am...


19 Mar 01 - 09:58 PM (#421251)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CamiSu

No you're not, Shall. I love it when the peepers are so loud you can't shut them out. (But I don't have any near my house, so I have to go find them)

Birdfoot's Grampa
by Joseph Bruchac

The old man
must have stopped our car
two dozen times to climb out
and gather into his hands
the small toads blinded
by our lights and leaping,
live drops of rain.

The rain was falling,
a mist about his white hair
and I kept saying
you can't save them all
accept it, get back in
we've got places to go.

But, leathery hands full
of wet brown life
knee deep in the summer
roadside grasses,
he just smiled and said
they have places to go too.

Heard Joe tell this years ago, and I cannot think of the peepers without thinking of this, as well.

CamiSu


19 Mar 01 - 10:10 PM (#421255)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Noreen

Lovely, CamiSu.

(What are peepers?)


19 Mar 01 - 10:13 PM (#421257)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

Peepers!

Shall, I can't be more than ten miles north of you. I haven't heard any yet. Could you tell some of yours to head over my way?


19 Mar 01 - 10:16 PM (#421260)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

Noreen, spring peepers are a kind of frog that call loudly but beautifully in the springtime in some parts of the U.S. (I don't know if they have them in Canada or not.)


19 Mar 01 - 10:37 PM (#421270)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Cap't Bob

The first sign of spring here in northern Michigan is the calendar which says tomorrow is the first day of spring. Most likely the spring peepers around our place are still under about two feet of snow.

The second sign of spring is the wood pile. We have now burned around sixteen face cord which usually indicates a long cold winter.

The cold north wind is blowing strong,
This old winter has been way to long.
In our cabin way back in the pines
The toils of life weigh heavy on my mind.
Looks like this year we'll have no spring
Won't get to hear the Robin sing, the Robin sing,
the Robin sing.

Cap't Bob


20 Mar 01 - 02:32 AM (#421325)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: roopoo

Yep, the vernal equinox is upon us, and what does the good ol' British weather have for the next few days? Gales and heavy, possibly drifting snow in the south, gradually heading north. They gave out -7C in the Bristol area when the wind chill was taken into consideration. This is going to be more or less in my area tomorrow, I think. Hopefully it will at least have blown itself out. We are very low here, so we don't get the same amount of snow as they do 20 miles west of us, where it's higher up and hilly. Those who don't get snow are still going to get sub-zero temperatures at night. We had better get a decent summer this year.

And there I was, thinking that if it kept fine and dry this week I might take the first cut off my little patch of lawn, as it's looking more and more lumpy and bumpy. Hopefully if some of the snails have woken up the bad weather might kill them.

Andrea


20 Mar 01 - 09:54 AM (#421509)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Mrs.Duck

First day of Spring tomorrow so of course it will snow!!!And since it is here hadn't we better start arranging the Yorkshire gathering!


20 Mar 01 - 12:35 PM (#421654)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: SINSULL

Snow drops have been in bloom for two weeks. Saw my first crocus today. Evergreen camelia is ready to pop. Lilca has buds. And cats are running like maniacs in, out, up, and down. Spring is here.
Amos,
Big sloppy sappy hug coming your way. Duck!


20 Mar 01 - 04:10 PM (#421840)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: mousethief

All the cherry trees are in full bloom. Woke to birdsong sometime in the past week, which I hadn't heard in ever-so-long. We've had crocuses (croci?) for at least 2 weeks now. Daffodils and their cousins are in bloom.

Alex


20 Mar 01 - 04:30 PM (#421862)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)

CamiSu, that was great! I remember a few years ago getting a ride home from a contra dance with two ardent naturalists. It was April, and they took the back roads, and stopped to rescue every single peeper between Peterborough and Keene! I had had a glass of wine at dinner, which meant that I had been made extra dizzy from all the swinging at the dance, and every time the car stopped I thought I was going to disgrace myself and make my friends regret their kind offer of a ride!


20 Mar 01 - 04:34 PM (#421865)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Liz the Squeak

Driving round Oxfordshire yesterday, saw lots of blossom, particularly blackthorn, daffodils and celandines, daisies and polyanthus. Lots of pussy willow and catkins, but couldn't stop for any....

I've had no fewer than 5 different flowers blooming in my garden since December, snowdrops, periwinkle, violets, daffodils, rosemary, a very stupid rose and the hebe. Hopefully the blue clematis will be making an appearance soon, and the bluebells are already making a big impression to the bare patch. Whether the cowslip comes up or not, remains to be seen.

LTS


20 Mar 01 - 04:44 PM (#421872)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: SINSULL

No snap dragons, Liz? My sister-in-law has a blue/violet clematis that climbs a trellis in front of her home. The flowers are 5 - 8" across - a spectacular June display. And every year a sparrow makes her nest in it. From atop a chair you can see the babies all snuggled in the nest. By the time they are ready to fly, they are as big as their mother. Really funny to see these "babies" begging for food and jostling for position. Even funnier to see the frustrated tomcat sitting in the chair glaring at lunch just out of reach.


20 Mar 01 - 04:53 PM (#421883)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Shall

Carol, I have the wetlands below my house, come over and give a listen. I am heading to the Meck tonight!I am celebrating...31 years ago I was in labor with my first son. Spring was busting out all over on March 20, 1970. Talk about a spring rush!

Camisu-Thanks for the bit of poetry. Nothing better than words and peeper music!

Cap't Bob-How far up north are you in Michigan.Are you an Upper? My Mother is giving me the guilt treatment, I haven't been home (southern Michigan) over a year. My excuse is always that it is too cold, too grey and too far from God's country. A weather report would be nice. I have friends up in Gaylord I'd like to see when I go home.


20 Mar 01 - 04:59 PM (#421889)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: gnu

Yup, definitely the first day of spring here in New Brunswick. Had to shovel snow from my lawn onto my daffydils near the foundation on the south face of my house. The crazy buggers are up three inches and will keep coming if I don't thwart their efforts with snow. Nothing worse than watching them bloom and then keel over from frost or snow the very next day.

gnu


20 Mar 01 - 04:59 PM (#421890)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Midchuck

...And a winter's thirst to drown.
A winter still with two months left to go...

(Stan Rogers, Canol Road)

Bah to all of you from white Vermont.

Peter.


20 Mar 01 - 05:04 PM (#421896)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

Midchuck, I know what you mean. I heard that up your way you've got nine months of winter and three months of damn poor skiing. (*g*)


20 Mar 01 - 05:46 PM (#421942)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: gnu

Gosh. I was worried about my daffydils. Should have been more concerned about the door knockers ! Wish I could drive some snow on THEM. In the past hour, I have been summoned to the front door three times and asked to give money to save my lungs, kidneys and some missing children.

Spring has sprung !

gnu


20 Mar 01 - 05:51 PM (#421944)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Jeri

Well, like I said - if there are snowdrops, they're buried. This is all your fault for putting these thoughts in my head, but a little while ago I was outside, standing in snow that still came above my knees, attempting to shovel off the lawn where I planted the snowdrops. I hit ice, realized it was a stupid idea and gave up. Why do you people make me do these things?

On the other hand, I made it to the back of the house, where the snow had melted a bit more. I have new shoots coming out of something I planted on purpose. (There are weeds poking their gentle green damned invasive heads out of the soil as well.)

In a short while, I may let my ladybug/ladybird pets outside to play. They've kept me company all winter, but they deserve their freedom.


20 Mar 01 - 05:56 PM (#421949)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: harpmolly

We've got cherry blossoms too, Alex...my whole street has erupted. And the weeping willows are slowly tingeing green. Siiiiiiiiigh...

"Winter's on the wing, come a fine spring morn..."

Moll


20 Mar 01 - 06:15 PM (#421962)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Jande

Carol, signs of Spring. Well, I always think the first sign of Spring is the intense longing one gets for it about this time of year.

Then there's the flock of Robins we almost ran over with Beep the Jeep yesterday as they flew right down across our path, about twenty of them!

Snow sculptures melt down one side and stay frozen on the other.

Up here in the hills, the Canada Geese are Vee-ing their way north in intidy masses, honking hello to their country-mate below as they pass.

Went out to get the mail without a coat two days in a row.

Still two feet of snow covering the long looped driveway. We've been parking the Beeper right at the end of it closest to the road. So *that's* why we haven't been descended upon by the Religious and the Profane Salespeople alike. I'll be a bit sorry when that melts, now!

I printed out the Peeper story. Love that! And yes, we do have them in Canada. Glad I'm going "home" for a weekend (four days) this weekend.

~ Jande


20 Mar 01 - 06:21 PM (#421969)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Matt_R

Cherry tree blossoms EVERYWHERE here at ECU!


20 Mar 01 - 07:02 PM (#421993)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Cap't Bob

Shall ~ We live in Mio ~ about thirty miles south of Gaylord and thirty miles ease of Grayling. The snow in the open fields have stubble showing through and we should be able to see the ground in those areas in a week or so. We live back in the woods where the trees tend to block out the sun light and this seems to slow down the melting process considerably. The weather forecasters say we are in for some more flurries by the end of the weak.

I have some friends in southern Michigan that I talk with via amateur radio on a regular basis and they say the snow is gone in that part of the state.


21 Mar 01 - 12:38 PM (#422491)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Mrs.Duck

NOW it is the first day of spring 21st!!And of course it's snowing!


21 Mar 01 - 03:54 PM (#422616)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

HAPPY SPRING!!!!

(happy spring?)


21 Mar 01 - 05:01 PM (#422663)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Penny S.

The perils of a shared garden - someone has picked my new mini daffodils in the rockery I am making before I have really enjoyed them. and let their dog, or cat, squash others - or jumped on them themselves.

And the puppy they bought at Christmas has taken to decorating the lawn in front of someone else's front door each morning - while attached to its lead.

And a whale is washed up in Kent.

Don't I sound jaundiced?

Penny


21 Mar 01 - 05:09 PM (#422673)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Bert

Penny, A camera is a pretty good cure for the blatant doggy poopers. Get one of the throwaway ones with a built in flash and take a picture of them 'in the act'. Betcha they'll go somewhere else next time.


21 Mar 01 - 05:24 PM (#422693)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Penny S.

Bert, these people are impervious. They have been observed, and know it. They have left worse in the garden for much longer. They do, eventually, pick the stuff up, though I did find some in the salt bin when I went to salt the steep drive. They are reasonably nice people, and not stupid, but seem wholly unaware that the way they order their own lives affects others badly. They would not understand the complaint.

I sometimes feel that they are living as if they think that we are the Sims in a computer game!

They're moving soon, and then it's out with the Jeyes fluid.

Penny


21 Mar 01 - 05:31 PM (#422702)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Bert

Wow, are they that thick? I would still take a picture though and send it to the local paper.


21 Mar 01 - 05:55 PM (#422732)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)

Up to a foot of snow expected here in New England tonight and tomorrow. BAH! And Jeri, my flower bed up against the house, protected by the overhang, has all sorts of green shoots several inches tall sticking up; I'm worried about how they will fare. It's not just that I'm sick of snow, it's also the fact that school will now last past Old Songs weekend, which means I may not get there before nightfall this year. Someone save me a camping spot!


21 Mar 01 - 06:24 PM (#422760)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

Oh, this is funny...

On several occasions during the last few days, I thought I was hearing a thunderstorm outside. I figured it's a bit early for thunderstorms, but stranger things have happened. When I went to the window to listen, I heard nothing.

I heard it again just a few minutes ago. This time, I put my ear to the wall I share with my next door neighbor and gave a listen.

He's practicing the Bodhran!

(How's that for somebody's idea of hell? A bodhran player and an accordion player living next door to each other in an apartment complex with thin walls... muahahaha... )


21 Mar 01 - 06:30 PM (#422767)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: mousethief

Carol, all that it needs to be complete is a bagpipe player on the floor above!


21 Mar 01 - 06:38 PM (#422774)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

Too true, mousethief. Especially considering the floor above is the roof...


22 Mar 01 - 02:33 AM (#422944)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: roopoo

Carol, surely there are endless possibilities with this... You will have to coordinate your practice sessions.

Penny, I have a dog that in the main "goes" where she is permitted to - on the path round the back of the house which is rarely used and is easy to clear and sluice down with the good ol' Jeyes. Then my mum comes to stay with her dog that is used to grass and, if the gate to the main garden is open, takes every opportunity to use my little lawn. Even this I can excuse because of what the dog is accustomed to, and also an open gate is my own fault. What gets me is my own dog's blatant use of the lawn afterwards, on the principle of, "If she can, why can't I?"

Back to Spring: forget the snow: it's pi -(sorry)- raining now, and it looks fairly well set in for the morning. Yet another day when the veg patch won't get dug over!

Andrea


22 Mar 01 - 04:54 PM (#423494)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Penny S.

We've got daffodils, and primroses, and primulas, and blackthorn and iris reticulosa has been and gone, and I'm going to look at those. The horsechestnut buds in my niece's back garden are swollen and near to bursting. I've not been woken by birdsong yet.

I'm south of the snowline, and we've only had three smatterings this year, which does me no good at all - I need snow! Despite there having been some thin showers during the day, some of my class reckon they've never seen snowflakes falling properly. What a deprivation.

Penny


23 Mar 01 - 06:23 AM (#423897)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: gnu

SPRING MY A** !!! The Environment Canada weather forecast scheduled for 0500h still hasn't been posted as of 0715h. They couldn't get to work because of the snow and wind. The 8 degrees C and sunshine we had Wednesday was just a ruse to lull us into a false sense of security !!!!!

Oh well, to look on the bright side, at least I won't have to shovel snow on my daffydils today.

gnu


23 Mar 01 - 08:01 AM (#423931)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Jande

LOL! I'm with you, gnu! W eput off our trip to Orillia two weeks ago because of the horriffic snow storm that was blowing up, We laeve today, just on the tail end of another one. You call this Spring?! ::chuckle::

CarolC: A bohdran player! This could be love! ::grin:: (Love the mental picture of the skirler on the roof)

Penny and bert: Blind Spots. We all have 'em. I had a neighbour once who lived in the bottom half of the same house (in a co-op house) who had a most destructive dog. I would come home and find it had got the door open and trailed my garbage all the way down the stairs again! If left alone it would howl every minute of the day or night. It's owner was a self-proclaimed pacifist and the angriest one I ever met. He never once offered to help clean up the mess and grumbled when asked. I always figured the dog was acting out his rage for him. The one thing it *didn't* do was leave doo-doos all over the place, thank heavens!

I agree with bert. Take a picture. But make sure they really are leaving first....

~ Jande


23 Mar 01 - 12:59 PM (#424247)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Mrrzy

Robins - haven't seen any yet. Croci and daffodils galore, but they've been coming up here and there since January as we kept having days in the 60s for no reason. BUT the willows are in bloom now, so I believe it... lovely long yellow strands, reminds me of the Goblin and the Green Glass Beads poem. Which I would post here if I remembered it. Anyone?


23 Mar 01 - 01:02 PM (#424253)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Mrrzy

OK, here it is. Pardon the thread creep. The poem is called "Overheard on a Salt Marsh" and it's by Harold Monro.

(Pardon the lack of html, I'm pasting here.)

Nymph, nymph, what are your beads? Green glass, goblin. Why do you stare at them? Give them me. No. Give them me, give them me. No. Then I will howl all night in the reeds Lie in the mud and howl for them. Goblin, why do you love them so? They are better than stars or water Better than voices of winds that sing, Better than any man's fair daughter, Your green glass beads on a silver ring. Hush, I stole them out of the moon. Give me your beads, I want them. No. I will howl in a deep lagoon For your green glass beads, I love them so. Give them me. Give them. No.


23 Mar 01 - 01:04 PM (#424255)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Mrrzy

Well, I thought the html from whence I got it would carry over. Trying again:

Nymph, nymph, what are your beads?
Green glass, goblin. Why do you stare at them?
Give them me.
No.
Give them me, give them me.
No.
Then I will howl all night in the reeds
Lie in the mud and howl for them.
Goblin, why do you love them so?
They are better than stars or water
Better than voices of winds that sing,
Better than any man's fair daughter,
Your green glass beads on a silver ring.
Hush, I stole them out of the moon.
Give me your beads, I want them.
No.
I will howl in a deep lagoon
For your green glass beads, I love them so.
Give them me.
Give them.
No.


23 Mar 01 - 01:04 PM (#424256)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Amergin

Ah, spring, when the big fat black and brown spiders start poking their heads from the egg sacs......

Amerginthearachnophobe....


23 Mar 01 - 03:52 PM (#424428)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

Mrrzy, I love that poem.

(Jande: I don't think so... already tried it with that one. It's an amusing thought though, isn't it?)

Saw my first daffodil today...


23 Mar 01 - 06:27 PM (#424558)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: artbrooks

Took the afternoon off to hike...first outing in shorts this year. Forgot the sun screen. Lots of butterflys, but still too early for the wildflowers. Gotta decide if its time yet to put out the hummingbird feeder or leave the (regular) bird feeder up for a couple of more weeks. Stopped off in the coffee house and saw a true sign of spring...some flatlanders up from Phoenix.


23 Mar 01 - 09:16 PM (#424673)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Lyrical Lady

The geese have returned to the pond behind my house. They have been coming to the same pond for as long as I can remember, they raise their young and then flee in the fall. Ahhh... Spring and the lessons it brings. Wish I knew their secret!
LL


26 Mar 01 - 04:33 PM (#426065)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

We got lawn ornaments!

From my front window, I can see a pinwheel whirlygig, a whirlygig that looks like a cardinal (the bird, not the religious figure), and a wooden Sunbonnet Sue and her male counterpart dressed up like farmers, bending over kissing each other.

Ahh, spring...


27 Mar 01 - 04:47 PM (#426862)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

I can hear a red-winged blackbird today. To me, that's the first true sign of spring in this part of the world.

And I heard a mourning dove. And the downy woodpecker is back in the tree outside my front window.

I dreamt I was in a room someplace and there was an eastern bluebird in the room with me. It was watching me and it seemed like it was trying to get my attention. I've never dreamt of a bird before as far as I can recall. A bluebird seems like an optimistic thing to dream about. Has anyone else ever had a dream like that?


27 Mar 01 - 05:54 PM (#426921)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: gnu

I dream about partridge and moose birds, but that's another story. My news today is that I have Crocuses ( Croci ? ) in bloom, in New Brunswick !!! Of course, when the frost hits them tomorrow in the early morning hours, they are going to croak ! Ahhhhh, spring in NB. How tragic.

gnu


27 Mar 01 - 06:00 PM (#426927)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: mousethief

Gnu, what's a moose bird? Sounds like an oxymoron.

Alex


27 Mar 01 - 06:53 PM (#426978)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: gnu

Moose Bird aka's... Canada Jay, Whiskey Jack, Grey Jay, Camp Robber, and at least a half dozen others. I use to know the genus and species, but my memory is, uh...

We calls 'em Moose Birds 'cause us fella's from the boglands of Kent County, New Brunswick sees 'em mainly in moose country. 'Tis a revered bird of mysticism and legend hereaboutst. Some says they look into your soul with their large, coal black eyes. Some says their their just stoopid.

I can look up a link and get back to you if want, but you probably know the bird of which I speak.

gnu


27 Mar 01 - 06:59 PM (#426985)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

Gray Jay, Canada Jay, = Perisorius Canadensis.

Ahhh.... that felt good. (Golden Guide to Field Identification BIRDS of North America)


27 Mar 01 - 07:05 PM (#426992)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: gnu

= Moose Bird, go to

http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/hww-fap/grayjay/grjay.html

gnu


27 Mar 01 - 07:06 PM (#426995)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

(Oops. Pardon me... Perisoreus Canadensis.)


27 Mar 01 - 07:12 PM (#427001)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

Cool site, gnu.


27 Mar 01 - 08:05 PM (#427041)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

I was so dazzled by gnu's website, I messed up the link. I shall attempt another...

Great site, gnu.


27 Mar 01 - 08:21 PM (#427050)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: gnu

Thanks C. I will learn blueies at my earliest convenience for the convenience of other 'Cats.

May I just say that the picture at that blueie, of my most treasured pal in the woods, does not do him justice. This is truely a regal bird who is the friendliest and most entertaining of all. A more fitting picture would not only show his appearance in a much more flattering way, but would show his personality. One of my most memorable is a picture of one I named Stoopid, sitting AT the table IN my trailer, eating an oatmeal cookie... they ARE friendly and extremely entertaining.

sappygnu


27 Mar 01 - 09:58 PM (#427127)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: kendall

Plenty of Croci here in the sub-arctic, but, an unusual sight yesterday, a flock of Cedar Waxwings. I hope they know what they are doing. About 30 years ago, a huge flock of Scarlet Tanagers came here, and they all froze to death or starved. It was a heart breaking sight.


28 Mar 01 - 03:10 AM (#427300)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

Many thanks to the Joe and/or Clone who fixed my link.

Carol


28 Mar 01 - 03:39 AM (#427314)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: mousethief

Know 'em here as Gray jays, camp robbers, and Canada jays. Lost many a lunch to them out in the wilds of Washington.

Never seen a moose. I hear they are gawd-awful majestic beasties, though.

Alex


28 Mar 01 - 09:37 AM (#427457)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: gnu

Alex... that they are. If you ever pop over to this coast, I'd be happy to introduce you to some of my majestic pals, provided they didn't get shot during the Native hunting season, which is from dawn to dusk... and now they're fighting in court about hunting at night with the aid of a light !

Last fall, I befriended a young ( 1 1/2 year old ) cow moose I named Sally. She would come out about dusk and listen to me sing and play the Hran until I started the campfire. Of course, I had to PAY HER with sugar. But she would hang around for a half hour or so and she seemed to be listening. There was a large old bull keeping an eye on things, but he wouldn't come any closer than about 50m. I'm just glad he wasn't owly because, every now and then, you meet up with one that's out of sorts with you getting close to his girlfriend.

Can't wait for the spring melt so I can visit my happy place again.

gnu


28 Mar 01 - 04:47 PM (#427859)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

I've backpacked in Maine, I've canoe camped in Quebec, I've traveled all over the Gaspe peninsula and down the coast of New Brunswick. I climbed part way up Mt. Albert in the Chic- Choc mountains. The only place I ever saw a moose was in the parking lot of Mt. Kadahdin in Maine.

Go figure...


06 Apr 01 - 08:12 PM (#434932)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

We got PEEPERS!!!

I've had my windows open a lot the past few days.

No leaves on the trees yet, though.


06 Apr 01 - 08:14 PM (#434938)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Amergin

No that was just me, Carol....


06 Apr 01 - 08:28 PM (#434947)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

Amergin, you sound just like several hundred springtime frogs. You're pretty amazing.


06 Apr 01 - 08:41 PM (#434953)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: gnu

My crocuses ( crocusi ? ) are up again in full splendour. They not only did not get squashed by the recent WICKED snow storm, but a whole bunch more are up beside them. Tis an omen of the coming season !!! Oh joy, oh joy.


07 Apr 01 - 03:00 AM (#435089)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: roopoo

Meanwhile here in the UK the rain has come again, but this has not deterred that real mark of spring: Gardening and DIY Man! Not being put off by the weather, he is gathering in flocks at the many outlets dotted around the countryside to gather the materials needed. On the first suitable day his call will be heard across villages and towns through open windows and across back gardens - "bang! crash! buzz! hummm! ouch!" As we all know, once one begins that call many others appear to answer it!

Seriously, the apple tree buds are starting to swell and the cherry trees are blossoming. The willows are really starting to show green, and the birds are all nesting with a vengeance. I've had my first few stalks of rhubarb and taken the first cut off the patch of green stuff that passes for a lawn. I haven't gone into the DIY - I've had the builder and electrician in to knock walls out in, and rewire my kitchen. For the next 2 weeks I am living in a building site, and then there will be a week of the above sounds as the fitter comes to put my new kitchen in. They reckon around a week's work!

Andrea


09 Apr 01 - 08:03 PM (#436917)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

A thunder storm is blowing up. It was hot today. I had two fans going and I was still uncomfortable.


09 Apr 01 - 08:15 PM (#436928)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Jon Freeman

Mrs Duck, the rhubarb is doing well here too and the calabreese ?sp is starting to come up, the frogs have laid their eggs in the pond, cat has caught his first frog (horrible cat)..

No rain today, at least not since I got up at about 1pm - it has been sunny and warm.

Jon


09 Apr 01 - 10:44 PM (#437033)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Jon Freeman

I'm cracking up (or is that quacking up). I of course meant to say mouldy in my previous post.

Jon


09 Apr 01 - 11:45 PM (#437068)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: GUEST,#1

Blue Bells,.... and blue balls.


09 Apr 01 - 11:51 PM (#437076)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Jon Freeman

...and Blue Bols


09 Apr 01 - 11:57 PM (#437082)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

"...and blue balls"

Really, GUEST,#1? Why is that a sign of spring?


10 Apr 01 - 12:01 AM (#437086)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

...anyway, no crickets yet.


10 Apr 01 - 12:22 AM (#437099)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: GUEST,#1

in spring a young mans' fancy......, Carol C


10 Apr 01 - 01:18 AM (#437119)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

Can't get any, huh? Bummer.


10 Apr 01 - 11:01 AM (#437339)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: Llanfair

Well, a week last Saturday, I smelt the spring on the Salford wind..............
The day after my return to Wales, I came down with the most viscious 'flu bug I have ever had. Today is my first day out of bed, and there are daffs flowering everywhere, the birds are singing their heads off, and I'm 2 weeks behind with the veg patch!!!
Cheers. Bron.


10 Apr 01 - 01:50 PM (#437456)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: gnu

Saw the first canary of the season yesterday. Had a white cap on, though. Bet he'd like to throw a few snowballs at his travel agent. There's still between three and four feet of snow on my front lawn - that's where it lies even, ie, no snowdrift. The drifts are deeper still.

But it is getting up to about 8C in the sunny afternoons and, when the sun is out, it's a joy to be out as well.


10 Apr 01 - 06:44 PM (#437669)
Subject: RE: BS: Signs of spring
From: CarolC

gnu, you have canaries in New Brunswick?

Continue this thread here... http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=33024