March 7th, 2018 – Wednesday
It’s March. We are sliding into the second week and I’m feeling like I watched the NYE ball drop not too long ago … and wasn’t I just cheering on Punxsutawney Phil last week? Time flies whether or not you’re having fun.
And it’s March … 9 weeks into this New Year … already! I know – if I keep saying it, maybe it’ll sink in! But how can that be? Where did those weeks go?
It’s a gray and chilly day here – par usual; the soft, white-gray cloud blanket is overhead and rain is likely. Again. I know it’s only early March but I feel like the days should be noticeably longer and warmer … and they will be but not yet. It’s still gray, wet and cold – and will be for quite a while. Daylight Savings is this weekend so we will be “springing ahead” which means more daylight hours in our evenings … and while that is all well and good … our daylight is more akin to twilight – at any time of day. Sunshine is rare. And I am feeling a very strong need for it. I NEED Spring. REAL Spring. Warmer weather … sunshine … birds … spring smells.
The Spring of my childhood … or movies or fairy tales. This soul of mine needs sunshine and flowers and that yummy warm, damp earth smell. I need robin’s eggs in nests and flowers swaying in a soft breeze and the pitter patter of raindrops on the awakening earth and that smell … that fresh, rain smell that permeates everything and exclaims … “It’s SPRING!”
But that Spring isn’t here. Nor will it be. We are always wet – a high saturation point doesn’t allow for those springtime smells. The robins have been peeping around for months but they and their nests are in pines – hidden away from sight. Bambi and friends are sheltered in the woods … they don’t wander into the yards now. It’s still too early, too wet.
But, I want it. I need it. It gets to be this time of year and I don’t care how harsh or mild the winter has been, I need Spring. But since it hasn’t sprung up here in the NW … and truly won’t for a while – I’ll be pushing it a bit.
I can’t do anything about the weather or lack of sun or trees in bud but I can change my wardrobe to more springy attire. So, as of last week – I kicked off my socks. Literally. I’ve been going bare ankled as soon as I turned that calendar page … going sans socks whether warranted or not!
And in this instance … not! Yeah – when it’s 39 degrees out and I’ve got naked ankles, I’d say I’m pushing the season a bit! I’m freezing my butt off (ankles, too). But, I’m antsy.
While the eastern seaboard is bracing for a third nor’easter this month and the Sierra mountain range just got feet of snow in the past week, I’m being selfish and channeling Mom Nature and begging her for Spring!
And perhaps she’s listening! I was out on a dog walk today … we saw the white deer (yes, white with brown spots! Although I think he might be mixed with llama!) … and noticed buds on the trees. Yes!
I wanted to shout out … but I whispered to the dog at the end of the leash … “It’s coming!”
I am thinking of moving – always thinking of moving – and with our one week of “winter” a few weeks ago (seven full days of gloom and snow accumulations of 7″ – a rarity for us), I have begun to question if I really … as in REALLY … want winter again in my life? As the week wore on I realized why I was so grumpy. It wasn’t just that I had so much “fun” when I had to shovel my deck and sidewalk off with a hoe (I no longer own a snow shovel) … but I was COLD and wet and the dogs were cold and wet and muddy … and stinky. And everything just seemed to be cold and wet (and muddy and stinky) because of the snow and cold and wet! I’ve lived here for four winters now and have become a winter-wimp. I kind of like the green grasses and flowers poking their heads up mid February! Winter? I don’t think I want it again. Which alters my research for a new hometown. Again!
I certainly am not fond of the gray and mizzly days that will certainly stay around here until well after the 4th of July. I like seasons – maybe not so much winter – but distinct seasons. Seasons are odd here. I always feel like I’m in a perpetual autumn – without the colors. Fall morphs into Winter here with a decrease of a few degrees on the thermometer and an increase in rain … which then morphs into Spring with an increase of a few degrees on the thermometer and an increase in rain … until after the 4th of July when all of a sudden the rains stop and everything dies off and goes dormant and the thermometer spikes to the 60s until the rain and gray skies return and the temps go down again sometime in September. I do not miss the cold and snow and ice and slippery streets that “normal” winter brings but 9 months of drizzle/mist and gloom? No, thanks. I need more than that.
And, I am needing it NOW. I think everyone else is just as ready (or those with harsh winters more than ready) for Spring’s arrival. And as much as I am dismayed by the heavy skies, wetness and gloom … I have enjoyed purple crocus blooming for weeks … primroses bloomed all winter – even peeking out from under their blanket of unexpected snow. And my spring green grass has been lush, mossy and tender (just ask all the bunnies out there nibbling!) since October.
I look at my garden beds and the daffodils are showing yellow buds and the tulips are 5 inch shoots and my perennials are peeking up and showing their small mounds of leaves. Yes – early! I shouldn’t complain … as my winter has been a non-winter – for the most part. But I still need Spring!
And even if the weather continues on (as it will) for 4 more months … I’ll be pushing the season every day. No socks this month. Maybe I’ll be brazen enough to wear 3/4 sleeved tees by April … and capris by May! I’ll still be freezing – but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.