Friday, February 19, 2010

Predictions: a CRAZY spring


On the counter at Peregrine Espresso yesterday.

The twin blizzard snow is melting - kind of perfectly in fact. Lots of sunshine the past few days, in addition to temperatures of around 40 F. have brought about a nice, leisurely melt, a good thing for everyone. A slow melt means that the streets don't turn into slushy ice swamps, and it's good for the rivers, too, since people pour salt and toxic chemicals on the snow which eventually get washed out into the Potomac and Anacostia. The rivers are better able to accommodate a slow accumulation of poisons, so this slow melt is just right.

The only people who are still really bitching about the snow are those who like to drive around in their cars all the time. The truth is, after two weeks of unplowed streets, it's clear (at least to me) that most people really don't need a full time car. We could live well on Capitol Hill with half the number of current cars. Just sayin'.

Last week the idea of spring was surreal. This week I'm beginning to understand that it is indeed on its way. Within the month, the trees will pop, the bulbs will burst out of the ground. I predict that people here will be even more spring crazy than usual after our wonderful, snowy winter. I think the bulb flowers will be beautiful (they like a good winter) and the cherries? Oh man.

We've got a ways to go, but at last this week I can understand that spring is on its way. Oh yeah!!

13 comments:

Lynne said...

And here in New Jersey Reya I cannot believe that Spring could be that close! We seem to be thrown right back into Winter. Cloudy skies, flurries on and off all day for days this week. This a.m. the sun is finally out but old man Wind is on a rampage out there! Yikes.

I think you're right tho, Spring when she arrives, is going to be glorious this year, busting out all over!

Reya Mellicker said...

Brother wind was blowing yesterday, too, but when I "listened" what he said is that he's blowing in spring.

Expat From Hell said...

Just give me one sniff of a narcissus in full bloom, and my attitude will immediately change. I can tell that you, too, are waiting patiently. Great thought about the reduction of car traffic. How very true. Blessings....EFH.

Ronda Laveen said...

Yes, I'm sure spring will be sweet, hardy and vibrant after such a hard winter. It's coming...I can feel it in me ol' bones.

Tom said...

i hope you're right! Mr. Sun was out today, and cold as it is, everything seems a little warmer behind sunglasses.

Rebecca Clayton said...

Is this the March moon? The weather seems to be changing every half hour or so.

Mrsupole said...

Spring is in the air, but Old Man Winter is not willing to go away peacefully. For us out west we are still hoping that Old Man Winter stays here a little longer so that the rain will continue for another month. But then again for us inbetween the rain our weather will be in the 70's.

Glad to hear that your snow is melting slowly, it is good for your ground tables. Yes, this was an amazing winter and spring will be fantastic.

God bless.

Karen said...

The sun came out in central Ohio today, and I was absolutely joyous. Made me realize how grey my mood was when it was grey outside...

Sun plus 40 degrees makes me feel like we can make it! (I am purposely not watching the forecast, though... it's not over yet here, not by a long shot...)

Susan Carpenter Sims said...

If a visitor from another planet came to a snowy place on Earth in winter, who would ever be able to explain what spring was?

Every year it's completely amazing to me that something like winter turns into something like spring.

I love your photography eye, by the way. All those shadows and reflections.

lettuce said...

i love the top photo. I'll be looking out for buds today

Pauline said...

Love the snow melt photo! March is our runway approach to spring. It won't be bulb and flower time until April here in the northeast but already the birds are responding to the pull of the sun and bursting at odd intervals into their spring songs.

Merle Sneed said...

Winter precipitation can only mean a wonderful Spring for all, animal and vegetable.

Susan said...

My love says February is going out like a pterodactyl (did I spell that right?)
But I maintain that the light feels like spring, so spring it is.