Whiplash Season

 Was it just a few days ago that our sugar maple and redbud were gloriously golden?  That a few late roses were still vibrant?  That I was contemplating a long bike ride?

Well, six inches of snow and lows in the teens will change things quickly.  Lilypad Pond has its first skim of ice on it.  Every shrub and tree branch bowed in homage after twelve hours of constant drifting snow loaded their still-unshed leaves.

The pup got the zoomies as she discovered the wonders of snow.  She is trying to figure out why she can no longer wade in the pond. And I'm pretty sure most of the country could hear her shrill, almost hysterical, barking when I attempted to shovel snow. At seven months, Lila tolerates the Roomba, the broom, the leaf rake and the lawn mower.  The snow shovel is a work in progress!

I've not adjusted to the time change either, exacerbated by a quick trip south to Arizona where the sun was shining cheerfully at 6:30 a.m.  

I'm trying to focus on the positive aspects of snow, ice and cold.  Hmmm....

   Precipitation means water for the garden. 

   Ice on the pond means Lila won't be wading regularly and dirtily.

   Storm prep got me winterizing the yard a little earlier than usual.

   My warm kitchen will be a welcome by-product of oven use.

   I get to scoop frozen dogsicles instead of the other variety. 

   Outdoor activity burns more calories in the cold.

 Hey, Summer--green lawns, long days--I'll miss you!  Autumn, you were absolutely gorgeous this year. Sorry that Winter moved in so quickly.  Springtime, I'll be here waiting for you!

 

Good news, bad news

 A rodent of some sort took up residence in our garage this winter.  

Bad news for the wiring on our car. Bad news for a new bag of dog food. Bad news for the duffle holding my kayak gear. Bad news for all the boxes and magazines that were in his path. Bad news that urine stains cement.  Bad news that I don't know if this was a deer mouse or not.  Bad news that our mousetraps somehow didn't catch the little bugger.

Good news that this post won't have any photos (really good, trust me).  Good news that Spring gifted us with weather balmy enough the working in the garage was pleasant.  Good news that bleach exists to disinfect possible hantavirus particles.  Good news that the Great Garage Purge of 2022 means that I'm averaging eight thousand steps a day and toting heavy boxes.  Good news that I was already exercising so I'm not knackered.

Bad news was the flaming hissy fit of epic proportions on my part during Day One  Good news was that on Day Two I unearthed a Tale of Two Bad Mice by Beatrice Potter in a pile of stored books and was able to smile and realize that attitude is everything!

So, hurray for a freshly reorganized garage with lots less stuff in it.  Now I'm just hoping that my sweetie is in the same relentless purging mood when he goes through "his" pile of stuff!

Something in the Air

 It's fresh.  

It's invigorating.  

It sounds lovely.

Let me check again.

Yep.  I think springtime is on the horizon!

 

Each day sunshine is warmer than it was the day before.  The top layer of soil has thawed into that delight fluff appreciated by gardeners.  Most plants are still brown and dormant, but the miniature daffodils and iris have bloomed. The rose canes are displaying red-tinged bits that promise actual green leaves in the near future. Even the sky is bluer. Best of all, each morning starts with birdsong.

Yes, there are still plenty of freezing temps ahead.  And frigid blasts of wind.  Also, snowstorms (at least I hope so, since another year of drought and wildfire is heartily to be avoided).  

But it can't be long before the new donut peach has blossoms again. And this year I will proactively protect those anticipated fruits from the varmints who made them disappear last year.

For now, I'm still ensconced in my favorite armchair while working on 2022 Christmas cross-stitch ornaments while sunshine floods our bedroom this time of year.  My garden will soon be  luring me outside where I'll be happily immersed in endless chores.  Pruning and raking and planting, oh my!