Oh Well
- February 20, 2011
- Category: Daily Diary
- (17) Comments
Outside my window, the wind is whipping and the trees are bowing to its power. The temperature is 7 degrees and the wind chill is below zero. Oh, well. It’s still winter here after all.
But last week, we experienced two gloriously warmer days. Maybe you wouldn’t think it was warm; in the 40s. But it’s warm to us who live in the Northeast Kingdom.
Spring has arrived. Warm weather is here. I celebrated by taking the fleece sheets off the bed.
“What are you doing?” asked Mountain Man.
“Getting ready for spring.” I replied.
“You’re crazy. Spring doesn’t come until April 15th if we’re lucky. Think tax day = spring. You know this won’t last.”
Oh, Mountain Man, such a pessimist. Warmer weather is here to stay.
I headed to my favorite place; the barn. Even the turkeys have been suffering winter doldrums. Too cold to go out, too much snow to sled. I threw open the coop door and the hens came running.
Mr. Thomas Turkey was next. “Wow, the sun really is shining. Thought I’d never see it again.”
The next day the sun disappeared but it didn’t matter. It was still warm and no wind. “Weather Channel says snow tonight.” Mountain Man told me. “They’re wrong. No snow.” I refused to let winter return.
Another day of warmth and the birds were remembering their former routine. Now the guineas were out and about.
One even ventured onto the roof. “Not more of that white stuff.”
But at dinner time, I flipped on the porch lights. “It’s snowing again.”
“Told you so.” said Mountain Man.
Yes, that was the end of our warm spell.
“How are we going to stand it?”
“Just got to stay busy.” Mountain Man said as he retreated to his shop to finish the doors for the Ozarks house.
I picked up cruise brochures scattered around my desk. Lovely islands, beautiful oceans, warm breezes. Time for a vacation. Oh, I’d love to go on a cruise for a few days.
I pretend we have enough money to book a cruise and I pick the most exotic destinations. I imagine life on board our floating hotel. First thing that comes to mind is what is Mountain Man going to do? I can’t see him sitting in the lounge playing board games. No, I don’t see him walking the decks or basking in the sun. I’m sure he’d be in the engine room hard at work reconfiguring something.
I look further and see “no animals allowed.” That means the turkeys would have to stay home. Who could I get to take care of the turkeys? Who would understand they’re not just crazy birds? Who would sing to them, dance with them, sled with them? Come to think of it, I bet the only turkeys on a cruise ship are sitting in a roasting pan.
Oh, well. Somewhere a cruise ship is headed to a far off destination.
I take the fleece sheets off the shelf and and think about how wonderfully warm they are. I love sleeping on fleece sheets. I look at the thermometer. Yes, 7 degrees. I think about people lounging around the pool area in their bathing suits. I think of Mountain Man busy in his shop. “Always something needs to be done.”
I pull on many layers and head out to the barn. The turkeys are waiting, there are horses to be fed. And Mountain Man assures me spring will be here in April. It’s not so far away.
If you’re enjoying warmer weather, please tell me about it so I can pretend I’m there.
As always, thanks so much for visiting us here in the frozen Northeast.
We were enjoying warmer weather earlier this week, but like you winter has returned. We are supposed to get a snow storm today into tonight…making driving to work difficult once again! Hurry up Spring!!
Date: February 20, 2011
Lovely little essay. We had a glimpse of spring here the other day. the sun was out, teasing me into thinking it was warm. It was not but the sun warmed my soul. Best wishes, Sara…
Date: February 20, 2011
It was 84 here on Thursday-windy in the 60′s today.However,here in North Texas we wear coats and shorts together,because the weather can turn while you are in the grocery store!
Date: February 20, 2011
I know the cold is no fun, but the pictures you paint of your life make me want to join you.
Date: February 20, 2011
I would not call it warm here, but we do have flowers blooming with snowdrops and daffodils popping up everywhere.
Date: February 20, 2011
we had a couple of good warm days here as well. than back to reality it’s cold again.not as bad as you have it but as you said it is still winter(sigh)
Date: February 20, 2011
While l was sitting out on my front patio in the nearly 70 degree weather pondering life, I happened to glance over at my flower bed and noticed the tulips and daffodils were up about an inch out of the ground. I told them it was a long way to May 15th the frost free date for my area and asked if they really thought they should be doing that? They just gave me the silent treatment. I wonder if they know something I don’t know. Anyway it still mid but not 60s. Forties here is good for middle of February.
Have a great vermont day.
Date: February 20, 2011
I’ll come babysit the farm! If I knew what the heck to do, I would love to come take care of everyone while you were on a cruise. I always tell Patty (Pricilla’s Mom) that that it would be a fun vacation to take care of a farm for a week. Of course, I’d be happy to go home and rest.
Let me know when you save up that money for the cruise. In the meantime, I’ll be reading up on turkeys….
Date: February 20, 2011
Well, we have been having nice weather here in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. It has been in the mid-70s to almost 80 during the last week! Am not ready for it though. Here comes the never-ending heat. Guess we all have a season that drags on just a bit more than we’d like. But, I must say, your neck of the woods is a bit more peaceful and prettier. Stay warm!
Date: February 20, 2011
I must admit, as soon as I saw ‘cruise,’ I said to myself, “Mountian
Man can’t sit still long enough for a cruise!”
Nice dream, though. Except for the roasting turkeys!
The doors for the Ozark house are coming along beautifully!
I hate to tell you, but…we have our doors open, letting the 72 degree heat come in! I know we have some more cold weather coming, but for now…let the sun shine in!
Date: February 20, 2011
I do enjoy the warm weather but I also like the cold too. I do agree that the cold days seem to drag sometimes so I am always willing to see spring come.
I look forward to coming up to visit you this summer.
Whitetail Woods Blog / Deer Hunting and Blackpowder Shooting at it’s best.
Date: February 20, 2011
Cruise brochures??? When are we going??? :O)
Date: February 20, 2011
Hello Mountain Woman!
Like Nebraska Dave we here in south central Kansas have been enjoying some beautiful temperatures (72) this afternoon and 78 last week. I worry for my lilac bushes…if they bloom too soon they could freeze as I’m sure we still have at least another month of freezing nights. I was just thinking the same thing as you…take off the flannel sheets but I think I’ll wait a couple more weeks and see how the weather looks. You’ve got it a lot colder for longer up where you are but I hope you end up with an early spring…goodness knows you certainly deserve it after this winter! Those doors that Mountain Man is making are beautiful…can’t wait to see them in place. Hope your weekend was a good one.
Maura
Date: February 20, 2011
It’s Arctic here in Sweden too… I love your sunny pictures though… Lovely to have a bit of warmth to help us through the cold times.
Date: February 21, 2011
We enjoyed gloriously warmer temps!! Almost up to 50 one day!! Now back to cold again with a layer of ice.
I want to go to CA and just spend a week walking/sitting along the beach. Listening to the ocean instead of the furnace!!
Good thing dreaming is free. lol
Date: February 21, 2011
Mother Nature can be most capricious, giving us a taste of spring and then sucker punching us with freezing weather just as the bulbs have gotten ready to bloom and trees have been tricked into bringing forth bright green, baby leaves. Oh what a fickle woman she is.
The past few days have been sunny and warm in Bradenton, Florida. Got up to 80 today and many flowering trees are in riots of brilliant pink and yellow blossoms. Pretty but this is only February, March and even April has been known to present us with a frosted evening. However, real spring or not, I’m going to enjoy it and as long as it last will pretend that spring has indeed arrived.
Hey! our yard was filled with robins the last few days, a flock of at least a 100 or more, quite a sight to see with their bright red breasts. Not sure if they were feasting on insects or on the seeds of grasses and weeds but they certainly seemed quite content. Maybe they’re the harbinger of spring 2011?
Date: February 21, 2011
Check out the header on my blog. I took that picture just the other day as I was driving my son, Jeremy, to take his commute train to work. The San Francisco area is really temperate. All year long, it is pretty mild. Though we’ve had some colder temperatures, it’s only been about 45 the coldest nights we’ve had and that hasn’t lasted long. Summer nights are usully down to 58, days, in a hot spell it might be 70! At any rate, right now, all the gorgeous trees ae in bloom. Sorry, I shouldn’t tell you that when you’re snowbound.
Do check out my blog post today, though, as you have an award:
http://rnsane.blogspot.com/2011/02/ruby-tuesday-silvias-paintings-february.html
Date: February 22, 2011