Wednesday, March 25, 2009

I made it through another winter without killing anyone

What do you do when you look out your window mid-March and THIS is the sight you see?


You celebrate, that's what. For it is not snow covering the branches, but lovely, puffy, popcorn-like blossoms.

These lovely blossoms can only mean one thing: Time to put away the winter coat and pull out the flip-flops.


To say that the winter and I don't really get along would be a major understatement. We are mortal enemies, the winter and I. She hates me as much as I hate her.

In fact, I'm pretty sure that she exists merely to spite me. She takes such devilish pleasure in her ice storms and her wind chill. And she flaunts that ugly brown slush for months, like a bad outfit worn over and over until you're so sick of it you could scream.

I have never liked her. My dislike grew to loathing after experiencing the bitter wind and negative temperatures that make up a Minnesota winter.

My loathing turned to manic rage when, every year, Nor'easter after Nor'easter pummeled the city of Boston, and I was left to shovel 1,945,493 tons of snow, on my own, as the husband was always conveniently out of town.

And frequently out of town in better climates.


But finally, FINALLY, I am living in a place where winter doesn't linger until May. Here, the first day of spring actually means something.

Like, you know, that it's actually the first day of spring.

What a concept, eh?


I might need you to remind me of my great love for this state, say, mid-July, when my hair and I are cursing our other mortal enemy: HUMIDITY.

Until then, I will relish my love affair with the spring. I will sit on a blanket in my backyard, the sunshine gently warming my shoulders. I will look up and smile at my children's laughter, as they run and bike in the fresh air. I will take a luxurious sip of the diet coke by my side, and then return eagerly to the book in my lap.

Ah, spring. I wish our torrid love affair could last all year long. Don't you?

37 comments:

Becky said...

Yep,...and I wish we could just GET there! Last week, sunny, ...and in the 50's. I was so excited. This week, my parents came to visit. It's been snowing everyday but one. Snowing! All day long. BIG SIGH.

jen@odbt said...

Beautiful. Can you send some of that to the east? I am still wearing my big ol' puffy coat and so ready for it to hibernate.

Amanda D said...

Those pictures are absolutely beautiful. Wow, thanks for sharing. I needed a reminder that there is life after the rain.

Unknown said...

Snowed here today. It sucks.

Marla said...

I second this all the way! Spring is my favorite...she & I could exist in 79 degree harmony for ever!

Mel said...

I needed to see these pictures because I just posted yesterday how spring came, but I'm not seeing or feeling it yet around here. C'mon warm weather!!

Hillary said...

I bought my first pair of spring/summer flip flops today. Even though I can only wear one!!!

Anna said...

Amen, Sista!! Those Boston Winters definitely made me a fan of Spring. Spring, glorious Spring!

Rochelleht said...

My answer to those kind of winters: Texas.

My answer to humidity: Hanging out in Utah all summer.

The best of both worlds.

Terra said...

Our beautful trees blossomed this week as well. BUT - we live in Colorado so tomorrow the white flowers will be replaced with 2 feet of snow. We get snow as late as May 20th down here and mid July in the mountains. I suppose you should stay put in Boston.

diane said...

Those pale yellow daffodils are gorgeous.

Popcorn trees make me hungry.

Lisa-Marie said...

Your photos are gorgeous! Is that your house peeking out from behind the blossoms? See... I need a tour!

Enjoy your diet coke. We're still doing cocoa. sigh.

Annemarie said...

Uh, yea. I looked out my window today and saw two freakin inches of UNWANTED snow. Bleh.
I do, however, have three of those lovely flowering pear trees in my backyard. When they actually bloom (three months from now) they'll be lovely.

Travelin'Oma said...

Your trees all have their new Easter outfits. It's time for the rest of us to go spring shopping.

Joy & Casey said...

SERIOUSLY!!!!???? You should be in Utah-we had a glimpse of spring but it's never coming again! You'd think it was really February but my calendar says it's almost April. Confusing. Frustrating. Lame. Enjoy your sunshine loser! (Kidding-sort of!)

Lauren in GA said...

That was positivley beautiful, Stie. I thought the first picture was of snow on the trees until I looked more closely.

Yeah...I'm not looking forward to the humidity...It makes me cranky...or homicidal...depending on the day.

Annette said...

Are you in North Carolina? That is the weather here! The thing I dont like about summer in NC is the humidity. What state are you in?

3leftturns said...

At least winter doesn't wear the same brown shirt every day.

It's still snowing here...Curses!

Send a ray of sunshine to Utah, no?

Aubrey said...

Last Saturday, I was outside in shorts and a t-shirt and it snowed yesterday. Curses on the Utah weather here, too.

Christina B. said...

Your pictures are so beautiful! And I am so jealous... hopefully Spring will visit Boston eventually too! Right now I'm starting to doubt it. :)

Ilene said...

That first picture really had me going.

Spring is coming to Boise too. I am itching to stash away the boots and bulky coats that are littering my mud room. Make room for beach towels and flip-flops!

I'm a summer girl through and through.

Unknown said...

It's snowing and 30 degrees here today. I'm moving to Missouri! I thought that first picture was of a snowy tree...once I realized it was beautiful flowers, I cursed the computer. Enjoy it!

Michael said...

It's snowing in Utah...

AD said...

What a fun to read post. I love your writing, I really do.

And Spring couldn't be more intoxicating after a long winter. I live in sunny southern Cal, and I have to say, the minimal temperature changes leave me feeling a little blasee at times. How I used to love feeling like I could kiss the earth at the sign of the first daffodil...you caught those feelings perfectly.

And BTW do you have a brother-in-law who is a resident gospel doctrine teacher/contributor on Meridian's site?

melissa ( : said...

We're still waiting for that lovely thing called Spring to make its way to us here in New Hampshire. Someday... Someday soon... I hope!!!

Cindy said...

Oh, how I would love to see a sight like that here. Where we have a blizzard. In spring. I am so glad you are able to enjoy those beautiful blossoms.

calibosmom said...

I can't wait!

Jake said...

Jealous. Party of one.

Diane said...

Ahhhh Springtime! Don't you just love it? It's fun to see your pictures. It makes me realize we don't live that far from each other. I love how Oma says the trees have on their new Easter outfits. I'm going to remember that one!

Christie in Dallas, TX said...

I'm always so grateful to be a Texan when I read about people having to shovel. But in July when it's 350 degrees here, I might just ask if I can come stay with your family for a while... :-)

Great pictures (as always!).

Anonymous said...

Could you send your lover to WV. We're still freezing our patooties off here. GRRRR.....

Stuart♥Maren said...

It is lovely and I like my flip-flops SO much... but I just enjoy Spring through the window... and through your BEAUTIFUL photos.

ACHOOOOOOO!!!!

(curse these allergies)

Chatter said...

Uh-oh. She's back to haunt you one last time. My sibs in Colorade just got 12-18 inches and a little of it may be coming this way. Maybe you'll luck out and she won't show her face again :).

Happy Spring to you!
Great pictures.

Bonnie said...

I love the pictures and savored each one as I scrolled down because here in Colo. we got over a foot of snow yesterday and had blizzard conditions. Kids had a snow day and another today. I'm originally from KS so the trees and blooms looked pleasantly familiar to me. Enjoy!

Jenibelle said...

I too love spring.

I love the little blue boxes of Claritin and Zyrtec.

I love Kleenx with Aloe.

I love screaming at my children to shut the #*(% doors so the pollen won't come in.

I love having my eyelids swollen shut.

I love having to wear my glasses and having zero self esteem because of the aforementioned swollen eyes.

I love sneezing and coughing and post nasal drip.

I love having no voice for a week because of spring, oh, no, wait, my children love that.

I love being lulled outside by a false sense of needing to be in the warm sunshine and partaking of the beautiful blossoms. Not.

I love spring. If I were in a pollen proof bubble somewhere enjoying it on TV.

But I could go for the diet soda and a good book in my pollen free bubble.

Dalene said...

I'll just say I am so jealous.

Bill said...

Our apricot tree is in full bloom and it snowed yesterday and is supposed to snow again tonight----that means I won't have to rake up the apricot "diarrhea" from dropping fruit next summer :)