Winter and Spring and Other Things

 ... are fighting for supremacy. We've had temps in the 40s, 50s, and 60s, but not in that order. On four of the last eight days, we've had steady rains. In three of those, we've also had hail and strong winds.

We're still getting lows in the mid-30s, intermixed with lows in the mid-40s. And of course, there's still snow on the ground in shady, north-facing areas.

Three weeks ago, we had a foot of snow on the ground in our yard. Now we have leaves on the trees, the grass is greening up, and there are weeds a foot tall.

So we're going to put the cushions on the deck furniture on Friday evening, and this weekend we'll sit out on the deck. Even if we have to wear jackets. And perhaps Spring will be convinced to plow ahead by our stubbornness and resiliency. 

Or it won't. :)

On the home front, my wife's cast was removed three weeks ago, and she's been going to physical therapy twice weekly since then. She gets around the house pretty well in her sock feet, but still wears a walking boot and cane when outside.

She also tripped over one of the cats yesterday morning and fell down, twisting the ankle a bit. There's no apparent damage nor lasting effects other than some residual soreness. In her defense, the cat decided to lie down and roll over onto its back as D approached.

So life goes on up here. We're starting to get out and about a bit more, including booking a trip to a Navy reunion in Gatlinburg in September, and finally going back to Hawaii next spring. 

... And CLOSER

It was 34° this morning (F, not C), and the termination dust has crept steadily down to the 2,000 ft mark. 

In the last 5 days, the trees have gone from a healthy green to a brownish green/yellow blend. Leaves, which have been falling slowly since August 1st, are now falling in earnest, in greater quantities.

Today is supposed to be a second consecutive rain-free day, so we'll try to use the leaf-blower to clear the driveway. The alternative is to hook up the power washer, so we'll settle for "noticeable improvement".

I need to pull a taillight, to replace a burnt-out brake light bulb. It took me a bit of searching to find accurate instructions on-line. I'm struck once again by how many DIY videos leave out critical steps, and they usually don't even mention blinker fluid. :)

That's enough whinging, so TTFN!

Okay, So NOW It Wants to be Winter

It's official: this has been the least snowy winter on record (since 1915 anyway, since they began keeping records).

Fine, whatever. As long as we get some rain this spring, it's all good.

So ... since the first day of Spring, we've had two light snowfalls, and several lows below freezing. And frost on the cars a number of times, including this morning.

Hey, Mother Nature: I know changing your mind is a woman's prerogative (so my wife has been telling me for the better part of 40 years) but couldja PLEASE make up your mind?


Sheesh.