Winter's Grip

Yesterday we had temperatures in the high 40's. Many people opened windows and let fresh air in. Much snow was melting and I watched it fall off the neighbor's roof. There is lots of standing water everywhere. Today we got some light rain and it changed to the biggest snowflakes. I think it has stopped almost by now. That is good. We have plenty on the ground as it is and huge piles. Everyone is very anxious to have Spring.

Weather Reports

The weather reports aren't very encouraging. They have been saying we would be getting rain this morning and it would freeze on the roads making for even more dangerous driving than we have had already this winter. Then there could be about an inch of snow on top of that ice. Today it should reach 34 degrees. It is 28 degrees now. But tomorrow it drops to 22 and Sunday is to bounce back up to 40. That would be great. The roads have been so bad, I have stayed in a great many days this winter. Spring is really going to be welcomed by everyone this year more than ever.

Terrible Winter

This has been a terrible winter.  It has been the coldest winter in over 20 years.  Reminds me of the winters of the 70's and 80's.  The wind chill temperatures have been way below zero.  We finally got some temperatures during the daytime that are above zero.  But today our high is about 27 and going downward and wind gusts up to 50 mph.  We got a little freezing rain during the night which makes for slick highways and dangerous driving with the wind blowing so hard also.  I know everyone here will be so happy to see Spring this year.  We have had small batches of snow and a White Christmas and New Years too but it hasn't been too bad. Not as far as snow goes at least. It actually almost got to 40 a couple days and melted the snow down some, but it didn't last long enough.

Freezing

I think it is time they retired that groundhog.  Here it is the first day of Spring and everything is covered with snow.  Not only that but the wind is blowing and the wind chill is below zero.  It is only 18 degrees outside.  The only good thing about it is that the sun is out most of the time.  Also, the furnace works good and the house is warm.  They are even talking more snow this Sunday.  If it snows again Saturday night late into Sunday, it will be the 5th week in a row.  I know most of the time it snows in March during the boys and girls basketball tournaments in our State, but this is ridiculous.

Sunshine

It is a beautiful sunny day.  We have had so many cloudy days this month.  Along with that we have had a couple real snowstorms.  It seems like there have been snow showers inbetween too.  Freezing rain and sleet are no fun at all.  Keeps me home in the house where I know I won't slip and fall.  The ER's are full of people who fell on the ice or were in car accidents.  Spring is just around the corner and we can hardly wait.

Drought

We are really in a state of drought here.  I believe our lawn has been mowed twice this year and that was earlier in the year.  The corn and beans grew so fast this Spring and then they matured too quickly and now the farmers are combining earlier than ever.  We have had a couple hard frost and sounds like more to come this week.  We had above normal temperatures one week and below normal the next.  It was a very hot summer and the air conditioners doing double duty.  I wonder if the Winter is going to be an extra cold and snowy one.  I think the almanac says it will be mild and normal here, whatever that means.  They say if you don't like the weather here where we live, just wait a day and it will change.  That is about right.

Passion Play

Here it is Palm Sunday and next Sunday is Easter already. And we have had a wonderful winter with warmer than normal temperatures, very little snow and Spring is about a month early. The tulips are all in bloom, the lilacs have flowers ready to open and the Hyacinths are beautiful already. The neighbor mowed the lawn, unheard of this early in the year here. It is 73 degrees, about 20 degrees above normal and we love it. I took a one day bus trip with my sister yesterday to a beautiful passion play in Minneapolis. It really started off the Easter season right. Jesus is risen and one of these days he is going to return and take those home to Heaven with him that have given their heart to him and are living and looking for him.

Spring!

It is the first day of Spring at last. This has been a super long miserable winter. Way too much snow and ice and way too much below zero wind chills and weather. So little sunshine. Sure glad to see the snow disappearing at last. Thought that day was never going to come. I hope next winter is a very mild one for a change. I heard today that last year was the coldest winter in Iowa ever!

Spring has Sprung

What a wonderful day it is today. It is 80 degrees and all the snow is gone. Now the water is drying up in the ditches. The fields are drying so it won't be long and the farmers will be able to get out there and plant. We raked the leaves and junk off the flower bed and picked up all the papers that had blown into the yard. The tulips are up and will soon be blooming. We have some beautiful yellow peoni tulips that have huge blooms and several branches. I just love them. They are like sunshine blooming.

Car Wash

I really need to get the car into the car wash. It is red but it looks more white than red. That is because it has a coat of salt and dirt all over it. I know it won't stay clean for long with the snow melting. However, it is a good idea to get a layer of the stuff off the car. It will look like a new car when washed.

Weather or Not

We have three weather men and women with degrees on our local station and they are quite proud of the job they do. However, they really missed it this weekend. They said we would get anywhere from 6 to 12 inches of snow and I don't think we even got an inch. Not that we are complaining, mind you. We are very happy it missed us. We got just enough on the ground to cover it for a few hours and then it all melted away. That is one happy thing about snow in April and Spring.

It's Finally Spring

I think it is finally Spring. We are having near 50 degree days and the snow is nearly gone. There are finally birds chirping everywhere. The first really warm day, I need to take down all the bird feeders, clean them up and refill them with fresh seed. So far we haven't seen the Goldfinch or Red Finches yet so it must be too cold and early for them. The Hummingbirds come around Mothers Day and the Orioles.

Flowers, Flowers Everywhere

It will not be long now and it will be time to get out the hanging baskets of flowers. It is so beautiful to have them hanging out in front of the house and in the yard. Baskets full of beautiful impatients and many other flower baskets. I have seen some lovely purple ones that I would like to find. I am not sure where they got them but they are outstanding when you drive by their house. They are a joy for everyone to see after a long cold hard winter.

Birds and Spring

The birds are finally returning and it is so nice to hear them singing again. There are dozens of Robins hopping all over. The big Lab dog next door loves having all the snow gone out of his yard. The kids had him out running around the yard outside the fence and he minds very well and doesn't go anywhere unless they tell him it is ok. He came running right up to us when we got home as we always pet him all we can. He's such a lovable dog. We used to have two like him on the farm.